The Abbey of San Salvatore is the most populated centre of the Amiata and it is located a few kilometres away from its summit which, located at 1738 metres above the sea level, is equipped of ski lifts and of roughly 15 kilometres of ski runs. It is also possible to practice cross-country skiing on runs going through woods of beeches famous for their beauty.

The village is taking its name from the famous abbey founded in 743 by Erfo, coming from a noble lungobard family.
The country developed itself around the abbey, above all during the 12^th century. In 1347 the monks, who were exercising the seigneurial rights, sold this right to the Republic of Siena. Together with Siena the Abbey of San Salvatore became a part of the State of Florence in 1555.
Besides the Abbey, the Mining Museum is also very interesting. In fact, the cinnabar was mined in this small village, mineral from which is extracted mercury, and nowadays the closed mines have become a fascinating museum. We can say that these two monuments, the abbey and the mines, represent the two most important poles around which is articulated the story of the village.
Do not miss the fair of the torches, during which are built more than forty stacks of ten/fifteen quintal of wood, which are lighted up at 7:00 pm on December 24^th, and which burn up to dawn. The probable origin of this tradition comes from the fires that the devoted inhabitants of the villages spread around the Abbey of San Salvatore were lighting to warm them up during the evening preceding Christmas, waiting for the Mass.