Montecatini Terme, Italy. Resorts in Italy

Where is Montecatini Terme (Italy)? The country map includes information about a small town in the Tuscan region. It occupies the eastern end of the Lucca Plain. This is a well-known thermal resort in the country, it is called the heart of Tuscany. The city is located in the province of Pistoia, at an altitude of 29 meters above sea level. The distance to Pisa is 47 km, to Florence - 38 km. The resort area is called a valley of fogs. This is explained simply: due to the constant evaporation of groundwater, a light hazy haze forms, the finest chiffon covering the foothills of the Apennines.

The entire infrastructure of the city is aimed at optimizing the wellness complex, known for its SPA procedures and unique mineral medicinal water. However, the city attracts numerous tourists not only thanks to the opportunity to improve their health. Montecatini Terme has many cultural and historical attractions. In addition, you can have fun by visiting local clubs and discos, taking a ride on a cable car or having luck in one of the casinos.

Famous vacationers

Who from the world famous people visited the resort of Montecatini Terme (Italy)? At one time he loved to visit the great tenor Benjamin Gigli. In addition, in a small town came Ruggero Leonquallo (composer) and Luigi Pirandello (playwright, writer). And even the most cruel ruler in the history of Italy - Benito Mussolini - visited this resort.

In the spring of 2012, Svetlana Medvedeva, the wife of the current prime minister, rested at the resort. The visit of a high-ranking guest caused a wide public response. In the hope of an influx of wealthy Russian tourists, all signs on local streets were duplicated in Russian.

Another entertaining fact: the film "Black Eyes" about the romantic feelings of the Italian to the Russian nobleman, the famous director Nikita Mikhalkov shot in Montecatini.

Treatment

The city of Montecatini Terme (Italy) consists of three zones - the old Montecatini Alto district, a resort area and a tourist area. Especially popular are the ancient baths. Among them, Excelsior baths, which has comfortable saunas, a beautiful fountain and modern equipment for all kinds of therapeutic procedures. Another famous bathhouse is Tettuccio. In its territory were discovered the first in the history of the region.

Restorative programs, physiotherapy procedures, and massage are carried out on the basis of the city balneological complex of Grocchio. The complex has an outdoor swimming pool and thermal baths.

Healing mineral water can solve problems with the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, with metabolism, respiratory diseases and gastrointestinal tract.

In Montecatini Terme (Italy) there are eight mineral springs. At the same time, five of them are used to receive drinking medicinal water, and the rest are involved in programs based on baths with mineral water and mud treatment. Cosmetic and SPA procedures are very popular.

Where to stay?

Are you planning a holiday in Montecatini Terme (Italy)? Reviews of experienced travelers include information about local hotels. It is noted that placement in one of them will cost a tidy sum. However, in return, you can get high-quality service and more than decent living conditions. It is recommended to book a room in the hotel you like in advance. This will save a lot. Nevertheless, one should not count on small expenses, since the resort in question has an excellent international reputation, hence, the prices there are higher than in Italy as a whole.

Unfortunately, most hotels, even the most upscale ones, do not have their own treatment facilities. This defect is compensated by the presence of the city center of Grocchio and a large number of special termas.

Along the city park lies Verdi Street. On it there is a tourist information center. Using his services, you can get answers to all questions regarding the city infrastructure and the functioning of the health complex.

sights

From the resort to the historic part of the city can be reached by cable car. He started working at the dawn of the twentieth century.

The Verdi Theater is one of the main attractions of Montecatini Terme (Italy). Reviews of enthusiastic travelers will leave no doubt about the need to visit this most interesting place. The theater was erected in 1930, and soon in its main hall the music from "Aida" - a work written by a great master - began to sound. Giuseppe Verdi visited Montecatini Terme quite often. He loved this city with all his heart.

In the old district of many different attractions, from the observation deck you can admire the stunning scenery. Significant architectural structures - St. Peter's Church, Gusty Square , Roman Avenue, arched gallery on the street. Verdi and the building of the local municipality.

The area of the urban area is small - only seventeen square kilometers. The whole of Montecatini Terme (photos presented in the article) can be inspected for a day, and for this it is not at all necessary to use public transport. Many are interested to sit in local restaurants and watch the locals. Among culinary desserts, ice cream and small thin Cialde wafers with an incredibly delicious filling are especially distinguished. A lot of impressions will be provided by a leisurely walk through narrow city streets.

A small village Vinci is located just fifteen minutes away. It was home to the famous Leonardo da Vinci. The house, which was born this world-famous Italian, today is a museum.

Climatic features

The weather in Montecatini Terme has a beach rest, and even in the hottest months the thermometer's column rarely rises above thirty degrees. The average temperature in winter is from two to ten degrees of heat. Clean air and a favorable mild climate are promoted by high mountains and green dense vegetation.

A bit of history

It is established that the first person in the vicinity of Montecatini Terme appeared a very long time ago. Even during the Paleolithic, this region was inhabited by nomad hunters. In the Mesolithic age, the greatest activity was observed in the Valdinivol hills. The center of this territory was the city of Montecatini Terme. At the beginning of the fourteenth century, over the lands of Valdinivola, the threat of seizure by the Florentines, the main rulers of the surrounding territories, was threatened. However, the designs of the conquerors were not destined to be realized due to the outbreak of the Ghibellines uprising led by the Huguczon of the Fajol case. However, the latter did not achieve much success in the conquest of Montecatini Terme. Another contender for power in the region was Castrucco Castracani, but he also failed to subjugate the Tuscan lands. Since 1323, the power of the Florentines began to slowly but surely recover.

The year 1530 is marked by the appearance of the first bath-baths in Montecatini. They were built at the foot of the hill of the same name. They were called "blackbird baths".

The period of relative calm was short-lived - in 1554 the city as a result of the military conflict between Piero Strozzi and Cosimo I was under the occupation of Siena. As a result, Montecatini Terme (Italy) became a miserable dilapidated settlement with poor inhabitants. In addition, the area has become a danger to human health due to stagnant waters in the swamps of Fukecho. Over time, local entrepreneurs managed to find support abroad. With the assistance of Count Leopold, drainage canals were built, and as a result the area began to recover. To attract people to hot springs, the baths of Tettuccio, Bagno Regio and Terme Leopoldina were built.

How is it without shopping?

Resorts in Italy can boast a large number of different shops. In this respect, the city under consideration is no exception. In Montecatini Terme there are outlets with goods of all price categories. The only inconvenience is that they work at the same time as the terms. Daylight siesta and closing of all shops at 7-8 pm prevent you from enjoying shopping in full. Tourists are pleasantly surprised by the fact that many local sellers speak Russian.

We reach the resort

Via Montecatini Terme, the A-11 motorway passes. In addition, you can use the services of railway transport. From Florence, Lucca and Viaggio, trains run regularly to the resort described, they depart every thirty minutes and stop at both stations of the city.

Conclusion

You are attracted by its beauty Italy? Travel routes can be very different depending on personal preferences, however Montecatini Terme is recommended to visit all - and connoisseurs of antiquity, and lovers of beach holidays, and wishing to restore health.