Biancane Geothermal Nature Park

White steam rising from the ground, pools where water or mud bubbles, red jasper fading in color:

In the Biancane Park, near Monterotondo Marittimo, visitors can observe fascinating natural phenomena of geothermal origin up close. An educational trail guides visitors through the area and provides interesting explanations of these geological phenomena.

The term “Biancane” refers to places where vast expanses of white stones or minerals are concentrated, standing in stark contrast to the green of the surrounding vegetation. The interplay of colors, the jets of steam, and the sulfuric smell wafting through the air create a mystical, almost surreal atmosphere that captivates both adults and children alike.

An extreme habitat

The hot vapors release numerous gases into the air, which, upon coming into contact with the minerals in the rocks, transform them. This is how jades, which are normally bright red, lose their color and turn white. The vegetation also adapts in unusual ways: the soil is too hot and acidic for most plants, so it is not uncommon to find gnarled and twisted trees. Only heather seems to thrive in these extreme conditions.

A Vertical Journey at MUBIA

Those interested in learning more about geothermal phenomena and geodiversity can visit MUBIA – the Biancane Museum – in Lagoni. Here, visitors embark on a virtual journey into the depths of the Earth, discovering how minerals, crystals, and rocks form and why the subsurface in this area is so hot. Numerous interactive stations make the experience engaging for everyone. A special attraction is the GeoNave, a large sphere with an opening that allows visitors to “penetrate” the ground and observe up close the processes taking place inside the planet.

Where the Earth Breathes

Not far from the museum lies Lake Cerchiaio, whose geothermal waters enabled the German pharmacist and chemist Hubert Franz Hofer (1728–1795) to identify boric acid for the first time. Beginning in the 19th century, this substance was mined on an industrial scale in the surrounding area. Today, next to the lagoon, the nature trail begins, winding through the Parco delle Biancane. The well-marked route leads through areas where steam rises from the rocks and boiling water gushes directly from the ground. Nowhere else is the power of the Earth so palpable. Audio guides are available at the museum.