Rest and treatment in Montecatini Terme and Monsummano Terme
Terme Montecatini – the main thermal and spa resort in Italy
Tuscany, a perfect region of Italy, and a land of great cultural history, wine hills, warm sea, and high mountains also boasts the fame of the most “thermal” area on the Apennine Peninsula. Tuscany has the largest number of Italian thermal and spa resorts, thirty-nine to be precise. The most well-known of them are Bagni di Pisa in San Giuliano Terme, the Baths of Val d’Orcia, Saturnia, and many others. But the main place for rest and spa treatment in Tuscany and Italy, in general, remains the Montecatini Terme balneological resort, one of the most famous therapeutic resorts in Europe. Montecatini Terme is located halfway between Florence and the cities of Lucca and Pisa in the province of Pistoia. The healing properties of Montecatini waters were known back in ancient times. In the Middle Ages, local baths were renowned throughout Italy, but the current luxurious thermal city only appeared here in the 18th century. Nowadays, Montecatini Terme is not a “hospital-type” sanatorium where taking procedures in a sanatorium block and eating in a local canteen are mandatory attributes.
Spa guests undergo treatment right in the thermal baths but at the same time they live a “normal” life surrounding by chic architecture going for walks, shopping, restaurants, sightseeing, and wine tours. The most important thing about Montecatini Terme is not to go through tests, see specialists, and take as many procedures as possible although the main purpose of visiting this water resort, in any case, remains treatment. People go here for unequalled thermal waters, for mud therapy and bathing in the thermal pool, for the recovery of the nervous system, for excellent wine and cuisine, and for new cultural and tourist experiences. Montecatini Terme is one of the best resorts in Europe for general health improvement. Here you can cleanse the liver and intestine, decrease cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and improve your psychological condition. Montecatini Terme gives you a very convenient feature: you do not need to take thermal waters all day long. The main treatment is in the morning with some “light” water for kidneys in the evening before your dinner.
History of Montecatini Terme
The name Montecatini is now borne by two cities connected by a funicular. These are the medieval town of Montecatini Alto (Upper Montecatini), standing on a high hill, and the resort city of Montecatini Terme, located on a plain at the foot of the hill. The first mention of the town of Montecatini dates to the 8th century AD. In the Middle Ages, despite its dangerous location between the constantly warring Florence and Lucca and the vicinity of vast marshy plain of the Nievole River, a permanent source of malaria fever epidemics, Montecatini grew and developed. In the 13th century, it was surrounded by a powerful fortification wall over a kilometre long, reinforced by 25 towers with 7 gates. Local thermal springs also became increasingly famous – numerous written evidences of medieval physicians about the healing properties of the waters of Montecatini have survived.
The most valuable records dating back to the 14th century were left by Ugolino da Montecatini, a physician who first studied local waters using scientific methods. According to him, there were already three ‘baths’ in Montecatini at that time: the Queen’s Bath (Bagno della Regina), the Bathhouse of Thrushes (Bagno dei Merli), and the New Bathhouse, now known as the Bathhouse under the Awning (Tettuccio). In 1554, Montecatini experienced a historical disaster – it was stormed by the troops of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo de’ Medici, then the city was devastated, and its fortifications were destroyed – only one of the twenty-five medieval fortress towers has survived in Montecatini. Prior to the end of the 18th century, Montecatini was in decline, until it was reborn by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Leopold I of Habsburg. It was Leopold who could be called the true creator of the current “thermal capital” of Tuscany. The Grand Duke’s scientists and engineers surveyed the area and drew up a project to transform and revitalize the area. In 1772, Leopold I himself visited Montecatini and ordered to destroy the fishponds and dams on the Nievole River and build a network of canals to drain the marshy plain near Montecatini, contaminated with malaria.
By order of the Grand Duke, the architect Paletti and the engineer Bombicci designed and built a real state-of-the-art thermal city with three thermal complexes – Bagno Reggio (1773), Terme Leopoldine (1779) and Tettuccio (1779) located along the Stradone de’ Bagni (now Avenue Verdi). In 1818, the thermal complex was given to the commune of Montecatini, and in the middle of the 19th century, the construction of the railway gave additional impetus to the development of the city. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Montecatini became a fashionable spa resort with luxurious thermae, hotels (at that time the most luxurious local hotel was built – the GrandHotel “LaPace”), restaurants, and casinos, where Italian and European high society gathered for treatment and socializing. The famous local baths underwent serious reconstruction at the beginning of the twentieth century. In 1904-1915, the new thermal complexes Torretta and Excelsior were built in Montecatini (then rebuilt in 1958). The old grand ducal Thermae Leopoldine and Tettuccio were rebuilt in 1919-1928, and in 1958 it was the turn of the famous Redi Thermae.
Resort description – all the baths of Montecatini Terme
Recreation and treatment in Montecatini Terme are available all year round, regardless of the season and the weather. The resort thermal complex includes the following thermae located in the magnificent city park:
Excelsior – here you can find all kinds of therapeutic procedures – water drinking, mud treatment, balneotherapy, inhalation, spa procedures;
Tettuccio – luxurious historical thermae, where hydroponic treatment (water drinking) is performed;
Leopoldine – a spa centre with swimming pools, saunas, hydromassage and aromatherapy;
Redi – mud treatment, balneotherapy, inhalation therapy and physiotherapy;
La Salute – water intake;
Tamerici – after reconstruction it is used for cultural events;
Regina – exhibitions and conferences are held here.
Treatment
Hydropinic treatment (water intake): during the high season (from May 1 to October 1), people take waters in the Tettuccio and La Salute baths, while in late autumn, winter and early spring they do it in the Excelsior bath. Montecatini is a truly universal resort as there are four types of healing water so you can always find an individual, customized combination:
Leopoldina is the strongest water in Montecatini Terme, named after Grand Duke Leopold, the founder of the resort. The water is prescribed for treating chronic constipation and has a strong laxative effect.
Regina – is prescribed for liver and gallbladder disorders. Regina does not usually have a very strong choleretic effect because it can lead to gallstone passing.
Tettuccio is the water that cleanses the liver and normalizes its function. Tettuccio is the lightest water, its chemical composition is similar to the blood.
Rinfresco – Montecatini is evening water. Rinfresco is used to cleanse blood and kidneys and restore the body’s salt balance.
The first three types of water – Leopoldina, Regina and Tettuccio – are recommended to be taken on an empty stomach in the morning, followed by a hot breakfast in half an hour. The fourth Rinfresco water is usually taken in the evening. After taking the water, it is recommended to take long walks to stimulate the kidneys and intestines. Montecatini waters are very “strong” and should only be used on doctor’s orders. Before starting the water treatment course, it is necessary to obtain a therapeutic regimen from a local doctor, and the course should last at least 7-10 days.
Thermal “Grotto Giusti” in Monsummano
In a 10-minute drive from Tuscany’s main water resort, Montecatini Terme, near the town of Monsummano Terme, in a quiet private park there is the famous Spa Hotel Grotta Giusti Tuscany, which includes a 19th century country palace and a wellness centre with its main gem, the huge thermal cave Grotta Giusti. The story of the “Gusti Cave” began in 1849, when several workers from a quarry owned by the Gusty family near the village of Monsummano accidentally found the entrance to a hole from which hot steam was rising. When they descended downstairs, they found an amazingly beautiful 300-metre cave with stalactites, stalagmites and an underground lake with its curative evaporations. The fame of the “steam cave” and its amazing properties spread throughout Italy and Europe very soon, and the Giusty family arranged several “treatment rooms” in the cave. In 1867 Giuseppe Garibaldi visited the cave, and in 1873 the “Royal Hotel” was built there. Giuseppe Verdi stayed in the hotel and called the grotto “the eighth wonder of the world”.
Today, the Grotta Giusti complex in Monsummano Terme is a luxurious spa resort with warm mineral waters. Its main “highlight” is the natural thermal cave, which consists of three halls named after Dante’s “Divine Comedy”: “Hell“, where air humidity reaches almost 100%, “Purgatory” with the beautiful Lake Limb with constantly warm water with the temperature of +36 °C and “Paradise“. The undiscovered natural mechanism in the cave provides efficient airflow, which makes staying there pleasant despite the highest humidity. During an ordinary 50-minute treatment session in the cave mineral water and its evaporations contribute to detoxification of the organism, recovery of lungs and bronchi and stress relief. Spa guests are also offered additional treatment: intake of mineral water, massage, mud wraps, lymph drainage, ozone baths, aromatherapy, etc.
The spa centre also has a 750 square metre outdoor swimming pool with a waterfall and hydromassage. The building of an old 19th century hotel now houses the four-star Grotta Giusti Resort Golf & Spa 4*, a part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World chain. It has a business centre and conference rooms for private meetings.
The hotel has 58 double rooms and 6 suites, some rooms are supplied with thermal water in their bathrooms. The La Veranda Restaurant serves Italian and Tuscan cuisine, complemented by a low-calorie menu. The Montecatini Golf Club with its 18-hole La Vecchia Pevaccia course is 3 kilometres from the spa hotel
Where to stay in Montecatini Terme – hotels and spa resorts:
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The five-star LHP Hotel Montecatini Palace & SPA 5* is located in an elegant Art Nouveau building dating back to 1910 in the centre of Montecatini on the border of the thermal park area. It offers a restaurant with a veranda, outdoor and indoor swimming pools with hydromassage and chromotherapy, a fitness and spa centre with sauna, Turkish bath, ice room, sensory shower – booking.com
The five-star Grand Hotel & La Pace Spa 5* was built in the late 19th century and is a monument of Art Nouveau architecture. It is located near the main square of Montecatini Terme, just a few steps away from the thermal park area. Many famous films have been shot in its luxurious interiors. It offers indoor and outdoor pools, a modern spa centre with a steam bath, hydrotherapy shower and massage chairs, and a Mediterranean restaurant – booking.com
The five-star Grand Hotel Bellavista Palace & Golf 5* is a historic hotel with luxurious city views located next to the Tettuccio Thermal Centre and the park. All rooms have panoramic views of Tuscan hills. There are 2 swimming pools, a spa and health centre, a restaurant serving national cuisine – booking.com
The four-star Ercolini & Savi Hotel 4* is located in an elegant historic building nearby the thermal complexes and the central square, surrounded by restaurants and shops. This family-run hotel features two gourmet restaurants with a rich wine list – booking.com
The four-star Vittoria Grand Hotel 4* is located on the border of the parking and thermal area in the centre of Montecatini Terme. It offers a terrace, an outdoor pool with hydromassage, wellness and spa centres with sauna and massage, a restaurant and bar – booking.com
The four-star Francia E Quirinale 4* hotel is located in a historic building with classic interiors and Murano glass chandeliers. It offers a restaurant, a swimming pool, a wellness centre with massage services, beauty treatments and ayurvedic therapy – booking.com
The four-star Croce Di Malta Grand Hotel 4* is located next to the thermal park area in the centre of Montecatini Terme. It offers an outdoor pool, a spa with a heated indoor pool and chromotherapy effect. The hotel has a restaurant Le Anfore – booking.com
The four-star Grotta Giusti Resort Golf & Spa 4* is located in Monsummano, a 10-minute drive from Montecatini Terme. The private bathrooms are decorated with marble and some rooms are supplied with thermal water in their bathrooms. The luxurious spa complex of the hotel includes the famous thermal cave “Grotto Giusti”. Montecatini Golf Club with an 18-hole course is located 3 kilometres from the spa hotel – booking.com
Three-star SmArt Hotel Bartolini 3* – a modern small hotel with a great location, restaurant and personal service – booking.com