Larderello
Welcome to Larderello: the geothermal village of Pomarance
Hello everyone! Today I am taking you to discover a truly special village in the province of Pisa: Larderello. It is located on the metalliferous hills at an altitude of 390 meters and has about 900 inhabitants. And the most surprising fact of all? Larderello produces 10% of the world's geothermal energy! Keep reading to find out more.
Physical geography
Larderello is located in the center of the so-called "Valley of the Devil," so named for the landscape characterized by the presence of boraciferous fumaroles with characteristic columns of white steam. Already known in the time of Dante Alighieri, these fumaroles inspired the landscapes of the Divine Comedy. The town takes its name from François Jacques de Larderel, a Livorno entrepreneur of French origin who perfected the extraction of boric acid from the sludge of the lagoons.
History
After the development resulting from the establishment of the boracic factory of the de Larderel, Larderello became the world's first geothermal power plant for the production of electricity. In 1905, thanks to Prince Piero Ginori-Conti, the energy of the fumaroles was used to generate electricity. Later, Enel built a power plant that directly extracts the steam that emerges from the ground, conveys it inside a turbine connected to an alternator. Today there are more than 30 power plants in the area powered by endogenous steam through wells similar to oil ones, for a total installed power that approaches the gigawatt.
Tourist attractions
In Larderello there is the Geothermal Museum, the subject of frequent school visits. The museum tells the story of geothermal energy production, from the beginning to the present. Moreover, in the village, it is possible to visit the foro, a large fumarole that is opened by the staff at established intervals, creating a truly impressive effect. Not only in Larderello but also in the adjacent Sasso Pisano valley, you can observe natural geothermal manifestations such as famous fumaroles, geysers, and small volcanoes.
Conclusions
In conclusion, if you are planning a trip to Tuscany and are passionate about history and technology, you cannot miss a visit to Larderello! In addition to learning about the history of geothermal energy and admiring natural attractions, you can also appreciate the beautiful metalliferous hills surrounding the village. I hope to have intrigued you enough to add Larderello to your list of places to visit!
