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The Geothermal Museum:
Larderello (Temporary Headquarters)
[Historical Notes] [The Factories]
[The
Chemistry] [Drilling] [Electricity]
Historical Notes:
The first historical notes about the existence of hot water spring waters in Etrunia were made by Lychophron, a
Greek scholar.
In 270 B.C. he wrote about a river, the Lynceus, with hot medicinal waters. Filippo
Cluverio identified the Lynceusriver with the Cornia River (as it is known today) in the Italie Antiquae Descriptio
published in 1626; the Corniais fed by hot, boracic springs.
The first historical notes about the existence of hot spring waters in Eturia were made by Lychophaeon, a Greek
scholar.
In 270 B.C. he wrote about a river, the lycenus, with hot medicinal waters. Filippo Cluverio identified the Lynceusriver
with the Cornia River (as it is known today) in the Antique Descriptio published in 1626; the Cormiais fed by hot,
boracic springs.
The Etruscans used boric salt deposits that formed on the shores of 'the natural lakes for drugs and to make enamels.
In fact the "Vasi Sigillati"(sealed vases) in the Arezzo Museum contain boron which, in those days was
only available in this area.
Section III of the Tabula Itinerada Peutingeriana, a third century (A.D.) Roman military map that described Roman
roads from the Ganges to Spain, there are two important springs, Aquas Volaternas and Aque Populanie with a circular
lake in the median position.
The Aquas Volatemas are today's Bagno a Morbo near Larderello. These springs enjoyed great popularity during the
Middle Ages and Renaissance because of their medicinal properties. Lorenzo the Magnificent used them frequently
and even held the keys to one bath so that it was reserved exclusively for him and his family.
The Aque Populonie were located near the Aquas Volaternas, but all traces of these springs have been lost. An archeological
dig near Sasso Pisano has brought to light a large Etruscan and Roman baths complex which, in the Middle Ages were
known as Bagno del Re and Bagno S. Quilico. These may, indeed be the old Aque Populanie since the symbol of the
ancient Etruscan city of Populonia has been found on several tiles. It is likely that the lake shown in the middle
of these baths represents the borax yielding area where there were many bubbling lakes or lagunae. In the Middle
Ages these natural lakes were a source of sulphur, vitriol and alum that Volterra's merchants sold throughout Italy.
Fazio delgi Uberti and Dante Alighieri, father of the modern Italian language, mention these areas rich in hot
lakes and fumaroles in the Dittamondo and Canzoniere. Dante probably envisioned his Inferno when he saw the place.
In fact, the Larderello vailey is known as the Valle dei Diavolo or The Devil's Valley.
[Historical
Notes] [The Factories] [The Chemistry]
[Drilling] [Electricity]
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