The Thermal Baths of Sorano

The Thermal Baths of Sorano are one of the most evocative wellness destinations in the Tuscan Maremma, set in the countryside just a few kilometres from the medieval village of Sorano, one of the “tufa villages” together with Pitigliano and Sovana. The thermal springs in this area have been known since the Middle Ages: the Romanesque church of Santa Maria dell’Aquila was built directly over one of the springs, and local tradition even claims that Pope Gregory VII came here to seek relief.

Recent archaeological excavations have uncovered a stone structure dating back to the Neolithic period (between 4495 and 4335 BC), confirming that these waters were already frequented more than 6,000 years ago, probably for healing and ritual purposes. Today the site has been restored and transformed into a modern thermal centre that respects the natural landscape and the history of the place.

The water at the Terme di Sorano is magnesium-calcium rich, with high levels of calcium, magnesium, bicarbonates and sulphates, and emerges at a constant temperature of around 37.3–37.5 °C. The facility offers a large main thermal pool, wellness areas, a solarium, and various treatments. The most evocative feature is the “Bagno dei Frati” (Friars’ Bath), a historic 15th-century basin hidden in the woods, fed by springs at about 34 °C, with access limited to a small number of people at a time, by reservation.

For guests staying at Casetta di Pitigliano, the Terme di Sorano are an ideal destination for a relaxing experience combined with a visit to the village, its fortresses, Etruscan vie cave, and troglodyte settlements. The distance is short and easily covered by car, making the thermal baths perfect for a half-day trip or an afternoon dedicated to wellbeing.