The birth of the Thermal spas finds space both in the historical memory and in a more imaginative legend that tells of how the brave paladin Orlando, after visiting the area where the waters currently rise, which at the time was malaria ridden and swampy, washed and saw that his wounds were miraculously healing. Lodging his sword into the thermal basin he pronounce these words: "..water staying here in Saturnia, go down to that plain and heal the wounds ".

The legend narrates on the other hand that Saturn, god of agriculture, became angry with human species because warmongers and so thrust lightning on the earth to punish them. As the lightning hit the ground, it caused sulphurous and warm water to spurt out which calmed the human warmongerings. Actually Saturnia's thermal spas were already known during the age of the Etruscans, and in the surrounding area there are many archaeological sites that belonged to the "tusci" (thus they were called by the Romans). And also in medieval times the thermal springs in Saturnia were object of contention among local feud holders who had discovered the beneficial effect of hydro and mud therapy.

Currently the Terme di Saturnia established themselves as a thermal spa complex: Salus Per Aquam, basically a complex dedicated to wellbeing. The service offered by the centre is quite extensive: classic thermal services, but also nutritional and fitness advice. The offer ranges from 4 37° sulphurous waters pools; an Institute of Thermal Medicine and Scientific Cosmetics for thermal cures programmes, physiotherapeutic, aesthetic, diet, fitness, sauna and Turkish bath. Other services for your leisure time: tennis courts, gym and golf court.  The philosophy behind the thermal complex is to offer customers global wellbeing, so there are five wellbeing areas subdivided in : hydrotherapy, aesthetics, stress management, diet and fitness.