Mount Amiata, 1738 m above sea level, is the largest of the lava domes in the Amiata lava dome complex located about 20 km North-West of Lake Bolsena in the South of Tuscany.
It is located in the Tuscan provinces of Siena and Grosseto. In the surroundings, we find the valleys Val d’Orcia and Val di Paglia, the superb land of Maremma, Siena’s rolling hills and the lake of Bolsena.
Mount Amiata (called also “La Vetta” – “The Peak”) is part of the larger Amiata complex volcano. A massive viscous trachydacitic lava flow, 5 km long and 4 km wide, is part of the basal complex and extends from beneath the southern base of Corno de Bellaria dome.
Today, Amiata is an inactive volcano covered by pines, chestnut trees and beeches. They say that Brunello di Montalcino wine wouldn’t so excellent if there wasn’t Mount Amiata to control climate for its grapes. And they’re right, because the air wouldn’t be so pure and clear here without the green environment of Amiata, waters wouldn’t be so fresh and crystalline and mushrooms so renowned for its quality.
On Mount Amiata, there’s a vast production of chestnuts and wood, but its main economical resource is with no doubt tourism, which is increasing every year thanks to its fabulous ski resorts and wonderful winter landscape, perfect for a holiday on snow dedicated to having rest or practicing winter sports.
Ski resorts include the peak area, Prato delle Macinaie, Prato della Contessa, Rifugio Cantore and Pian della Marsiliana. However, Mount Amiata can also offer a wide range of other activities and sports to practice en plein air, both in summer and spring: athletics, swimming, cycling, football and many more, because the landscape offers also wide green meadows. In this way, both adults and children will have the chance to practice their favorite sport on Amiata.
The region is included in the municipalities of Abbadia San Salvatore, Arcidosso, Castel del Piano, Piancastagnaio, Santa Fiora and Seggiano, all located between 600 and 800 meters of altitude.
Access to the surrounding areas couldn’t be easier: in a few minutes visitors can easily reach beautiful and charming villages and ancient towns rich in art and culture, such as Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, Chianciano, Pitigliano, Sovana, Scansano and Massa Marittima.
Don’t forget that Mount Amiata is also an open-air museum. Yes, because it keeps intact architecture and art treasures, such as the Abbazia del San Salvatore, a rare Romanic abbey preserving a precious crucifix dating back to 12th century, the Abbazia di Sant’Antimo, the Church of the Saints Stefano and Degna in Castiglion d’Orcia, the Church of the Saints Pietro and Paolo in Roccalbegna and many other noteworthy buildings.
In addition, you can visit the Mercury Mining Museum of Monte Amiata, placed in Piazza Garibaldi in Santa Fiora; it was brought to life to testify the history of the mines and the miners’ sacrifices. The museum, endowed with historical documentation, tries to bring to life the work and working conditions, the social organization and the development of the mines on Monte Amiata, also illustrating the hard work and risks involved in this field.