Violent volcanic eruptions more than 180,000 years ago gave birth to Amiata. The first signs of life here go back to Palaeolithic times as the remains of paintings in the Grotta dell’Arciere show. Then came the Etruscans for whom Monte Amiata was sacred, and the Romans. A dark period followed until Rachis, a Lombard King founded the Abbey of San Salvatore and the monks colonized the surrounding land. They also controlled the Via Francigena which linked Rome with northern Europe. At the beginning of the Middle Ages, with the Aldobrandeschi expansion and Sienese penetration, fortified villages, perched on rocky outcrops, numerous castles and beautiful churches were built. In modern times the mining for cinnabar in order to extract mercury was developed and continued right up until 1970.
Our patrimony of folklore has been well preserved; there are several museums, singular places like Monte Labbro once home to David Lazzaretti, the ‘prophet’ of Amiata and nowadays the site of Merigar West Centre for Tibetan studies and the unusual Daniel Spoerri’s sculpture Garden.
The mountain is rich in legends and traditions, which give rise to numerous feasts and festivals. A full calendar is evidence of just how rich and old is man’s history on our volcano.
5 Nights
This is a journey to discover Amiata and its surrounding from ancient to modern history, through cherches and museums, old roads and good tuscan cuisine. The history of Amiata covers a vast period: the Etruscans, the early and late Middle Ages, modern and finally contemporary times. Churches and castles, picturesque villages, tombs thousands of years old, all cast their spells.
WHAT IT IS Surrounded by wonderful scenery discover your own artistic ability. A courses for artists of every ability, including complete beginners. All mediums are possible: watercolours, acrylics, oils. Find inspiration in this delightful countryside and enjoy the local cooking and wine. We arrange study trips for groups or individuals. During your stay there are…
Details
WHAT IT IS This is a journey to discover Amiata and its surrounding from ancient to modern history, through cherches and museums, old roads and good tuscan cuisine. The history of Amiata covers a vast period: the Etruscans, the early and late Middle Ages, modern and finally contemporary times. Churches and castles, picturesque villages, tombs…
Details
WHAT IT IS A two nights journey to deiscover one of the best season in Amiata: autumn and the chestnut Festivals. Numerous festivals are a characteristic of this area. In Spring they are mainly religious or linked to medieval times, but in the Autumn they usher in the best period for mushroomsand the wine, chestnut…
Details