Terme San Filippo, Public thermal baths in Castiglione d'Orcia, Italy.
Terme San Filippo is a public thermal facility with natural sulfurous waters that spring directly from the mountain at about 48°C, forming natural pools where the warm water emerges from the rock. The site consists of several open-air bathing areas created by the continuous flow of geothermal water over time.
The site was already known in Roman times and used for its therapeutic properties. In the 13th century, San Filippo Benzi came here seeking refuge during a papal conclave in 1269.
The waters here are rich in sulfur, calcium, and magnesium and have been used for centuries to ease inflammation, muscle tension, and improve blood flow according to local healing traditions. Visitors today experience these same healing practices by bathing in the warm pools.
The site is easily accessible and can be visited year-round; off-season months tend to be less crowded. Bring swimwear, a towel, and non-slip shoes since rocks around the pools can be slippery when wet.
A remarkable limestone formation called 'Balena Bianca' resembles a white whale in the landscape, formed over centuries by mineral deposits from the thermal water. This unusual rock formation is the result of the constant flow of mineral-rich water.
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