Colline Metallifere · Maremma

Santa Fiora

One of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, where the river Fiora rises.

Santa Fiora is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, on the southern slopes of Monte Amiata, in the province of Grosseto: a village built on trachyte, divided into the three historic quarters of Castello, Borgo and Montecatino, where water has always been the leading character. The springs of the river Fiora rise right here, and the Peschiera — the Renaissance garden-park created by the Sforza family, where trout were raised — is one of the most enchanting places in inland Tuscany. In the church of the Madonna delle Nevi, a glass floor lets you see the spring flowing beneath your feet. And in the parish church of Santa Flora and Santa Lucilla shine the terracottas of Andrea della Robbia.

At the table

Maremma mountain cooking: acquacotta (celebrated with its own festival in mid-August), Amiata porcini mushrooms, chestnuts, tortelli, game. The hamlet of Bagnolo hosts the Sagra del Fungo Amiatino in October, and in early November the village celebrates the Sagra del Marrone Santafiorese, the finest chestnut of the mountain, with visits to the traditional drying houses.

Wine and olive oil

Santa Fiora lies along the Strada del Vino Montecucco e dei Sapori d'Amiata: all around, Montecucco DOC, Castagna del Monte Amiata IGP chestnuts, Tuscan pecorino DOP and extra virgin olive oil from the hills.

Festivals

The calendar is a full one: the Festa della Madonna delle Nevi with fireworks over the Peschiera (5 August), the Sagra dell'Acquacotta (mid-August), the Fungo Amiatino in Bagnolo (October), the Marrone Santafiorese (November), the Festa di Santa Barbara, patron saint of miners (early December) and the striking torchlight procession of 30 December, when huge torches light the old village all night long.

Distances

Grosseto: just over 1 hour · Sea (Marina di Grosseto): 1 hour 20 · Bagni San Filippo (hot springs): 30 minutes · Siena: close enough for a day out · Rome: under 2 hours 30.