| Situated south of San Quirico, Bagni Vignoni has been a popular holiday spot since Roman times. Spread on a hill above Val d'Orcia, Bagni Vignoni derives its name from the 11th century castle that still towers over the village. The thermal baths are architecturally inviting with a porch-type bridge built over the water. This water is then transferred from the bath to the many thermal houses that line the village. The water then passes through mills located on the banks of the river.
Bagni Vignoni has been a favourite holiday hotspot for many centuries. From ancient times people from all over Europe came here to relax and rejuvenate themselves at the therapeutic thermal baths. The list of well-known people in history to have visited the region is long. The extensive list includes royalty, popes, clergymen and authors. The earliest written reference to magical waters of the region is in Michel de Montaigne’s 1581 diary.
Lorenzo the Magnificent visited these thermal waters in 1490. Pope Pius II also came here to rejuvenate himself. Catherine of Siena was brought here by her mother who tried to dissuade her from joining the church. Bagni Vignoni was also a popular pit stop for pilgrims on their way to Rome. Bagni Vignoni has also inspired writers and poets. Lattanzio Tolomei, in the 16th century, wrote verses on the water nymphs engraved on a marble table. [You can see these nymphs on a pillar in St. Catherine's open gallery.]
The usage of the thermal baths is strictly controlled by the Commune of Siena. Men and women used different baths. The Grand Duke granted the Amerighi the tax rights to the bath and they in return undertook essential maintenance work. This was introduced in 1592 and formally passed in 1599. The Grand Duke Cosimo III in 1677 passed on St. Quirico d’Orcia (that included Bagni Vignoni) to Cardinal Flavio Chigi. The Chigi family still owns part of the thermal bath. |
