In the upper Cecina Valley in Tuscany, known as the Devil's Valley because of its soffioni (geysers), 8% of the world's geothermal energy is produced.
The world's first geothermal power plant was born here in Larderello, and the village represents one of the first Italian factory town: a village built especially for the plant’s workers.
Conceived not only as a dormitory, in the 1960s, thanks to architect G. Michelucci's project, the village had services that at the time could only be found in large cities: a geothermal swimming pool, cinema, schools and sports fields. Thanks to that the village of Larderello enjoyed great wealth in the 1960s and 1970s.
To date, the geothermal power plant is almost entirely remote-controlled. Due to the scarce job opportunities and the lack of adequate infrastructure, the village suffers from a slow depopulation that the local administrations are trying to stop.
