|
| The
Monte Amiata is the highest mountain in Tuscany. It is located
in the valleys of four rivers: Orcia, Paglia, Fiora and Ombrone.
The historic importance of the Monte Amiata can be traced
back to the Etruscans times, during the Siena Repubblic in
the Middle Ages and finally during the rule of the gran duke
of Tuscany in the Renaissance. From 1868 to 1878 this area
witnessed the religious and social struggles of D. Lazzaretti
and today the nearby Arcidosso hosts a Buddhist community.
From the mountain top, the breathtaking panorama includes
the Bolsena Lake, the Trasimeno Lake, some islands of the
Tuscan Archipelago, the Maremma Plain, the 'Metallifere Hills'
and the Chianti hills. The mountain dominates the whole area
of Tuscany and Umbria and if the weather is fine you will
even be able to see Rome. On the mountain peak, there is an
iron cross by the Sienese artist Zalaffi whereas at lower
heights it is possible to see the statue of Our Lady of Scouts
and the nearby statue of St. John Gualberto. As an excite
volcano, Monte Amiata is a natural spa resort with curative
thermal waters and the soil is rich in minerals (cinnabar
and antimonite). In 1897, the Monte Amiata S.p.A. was founded
to exploit the quicksilver mines in the nearby Abadia San
Salvatore, the most famous mines in the world together with
the Spanish mines in Halmaden. Today the mines have been turned
into a greenhouse for the cultivation of the prestigious hydrangeas.
Today the area's economic resource derives from agriculture
and especially from the cultivation of olives and cereals.
In fall the beech and chestnut forests are full of mushrooms
and chestnuts. The Monte Amiata is near major winter resorts
such as Macinaie, Contessa and Cantore - Mersiliana and it
has ski-passes of its own. The paved tracks on the mountain
slopes lead visitors to fabulous places with amusing names
such as the Seggiola del Diavolo (the Devil chair), the Pietra
in bilico (the falling Rock) and the Grotte dalle Fate (the
Fairy Cave). Signs will lead you to a small nature park of
almost 5kmq on the nearby Monte Labbro (Closed on Mondays
- entry fee: 4,000 lit). The reserve is the natural habitat
for deers, mouflons and hares. The park is equipped with a
small rest area and an information centre where it is possible
to organise guided tours: it is strictly forbidden to wander
out of the marked trials and bother animals. We strongly reccomend
to visit the 'Fortino del Lupo', an area where you can watch
wolves in semi-captivity. The area is also equipped to host
caravans and vans. |
|
|
