Petriolo Spas full nature
and wellness
Last November I wanted to spend a day with my wife and kids at some thermal spa. At that time we were staying at some friends’ house in San Gusme’ (a lovely town, by the way) near Siena. Of the many aound here, all nice and well kept, we wanted something more immersed in pure nature and free. Some friends had told us about Bagni San Filippo, but they were too far from us. Another option was Petriolo, and we decided to give it a try. Just off the road to the sea, at about 20 min from Siena, is this old road that runs along a small river. 
Suddenly the road opens and you can see right on the bank of the river (a shallow and clean one) many little and large pools filled with hot sulfur water coming right off the earth. The temperature varies from pool to pool. And here you can also enjoy the beneficial effect of hot and cold baths. Infact the river is pretty cold. The water falls in a pool and feeds many little creeks that go and fill several pools.
So we undressed and went in. OH MY GOD WAS IT GOOD! The environment is very friendly. Everyone feels at home and there is no superiority or first-arrived rights. Kindness and good heart seem to spring out the people there as the hot water from the earth. It’s peculiar and nice.
When the moment of jumping in the cold water came I was a little afraid….well it was gorgeous! (you must have a good heart to do so, though). The tingling filled my skin, and the enrgy came back right where the 100F or so degrees water had taken them from. I decided to swim a bit upstream followed by my kids (the current is really weak) and the natural environment is gorgeous.
A little downstream there are also two other smaller pools for two people each. The water is on the cooler side, but definitely enjoyable.
Definitely a must-try. Just one advice. Do not bring your best clothes, as the smell of sulfur stays on them a little longer than your softner; bring rubber sandals; do not wear silver or plated objects. They temporarely oxidize. That’s all! Enjoy Petriolo!
Start discussion »
Leave a Reply