Montecatini Terme is located in the heart of Tuscany, a few kilometres from the major art towns and from the main airports of the region. Our town owes its undisputed notoriety in Europe and the world to the great therapeutic properties of its waters, to the refinement of its buildings and the rich architectural patrimony surrounding the thermal value. Montecatini is also well known for its double offer of wellbeing and health to all those who select a reinvigorating holiday, a high-class welcome, thousands occasions for sports, amusement, shopping or, simply, relaxing in a frame of harmony, art, and untouched landscapes.

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Culture

Our Valdinevole valley has always been a land of culture, but also of inspiration. Its waters, its agreeable landscape and sweet hills have always offered relaxation and inspiration to musicians – the most renowned of them Giuseppe Verdi – to painters and artists of many disciplines: from literature to theatre, from singing to cinema. Art, culture and harmony are the richness of our earth. A well-established patrimony made up of tradition and hospitality.

Art of the 20th Century
We reserve interesting surprises for lovers of contemporary art.
If you prefer the first decades of the 20th century and the Art Nouveau style, Montecatini Terme will be your perfect destination with its avenues, historic mansions and splendid Terme, where some very famous artists worked: Galileo Chini and Basilio Cascella are only two examples. Please do not forget, however, to visit the “Libero Andreotti” Gallery of Plaster Casts in Pescia. There you can find 230 plaster moulds that came from the artist’s sculpture studio.
If your attention is mainly drawn to contemporary art, your destination may be the Monumental Park of Pinocchio in Collodi, with works by Giovanni di Michelucci, Venturi, Consagra, Greco, Zanuso and for the landscape architecture, Porcinai. In Ponte Buggianese you can see some sculptures by Jorio Vivarelli and, in the parish church, there is a cycle of magnificent frescoes of sacred subjects by “The Painter of Queens”, Pietro Annigoni. In Montecatini Terme, going back to the Park, remember to take a look at the fountains and sculptures dedicated to water by Pol Bury and Susumo Shingu and visit the “Art Academy Dino Scalabrino”: here you can see works by Italian and foreign artists, such as Chini, Annigoni, Guttuso, Conti, Viani, Arp, Radic, Mirò and many others. In Monsummano Terme you can visit the “Contemporary Art Mac’n Museum”, with a collection of over 50 works that cover the most important moments of the Tuscan artistic activity of the 20th Century.
Source: Montecatini Tourist Office

Basilio Cascella
Basilio Cascella was the progenitor of an artists’ family. Painter, ceramist, lithographer, publisher and forerunner of modern advertising graphics. During his life, he became a friend of important artists of his time, such as D’Annunzio, Medardo Rosso, Puccini, Mascagni and associated with them. He took part in art exhibitions in Turin, Venice, London, Neaples, Palermo and many other towns, both in Italy and abroad. In Montecatini, at Terme Tettuccio, in the Gallery of the water pouring counters, he left seven gorgeous ceramic panels on the theme of life phases: childhood, youth, maturity and old age, combined with Beauty, Strength and Source.
Source: Montecatini Tourist Office

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Sport

The thermal facilities, parks and green hills, the wonderful environment of our valley enable you to spend a perfect vacation in good health and wellbeing.
It is the ideal place to devote yourself to the physical training or the sport you prefer without being tormented by the schedules and demands of daily life.
In our Valdinievole valley, sport can become a pleasant, healthy and de-stressing practise: walking routes, playing grounds, gyms, soccer grounds, tennis clubs, volleyball and basketball facilities, indoor bocce courts and much more. At our Thermal Centre you can rely on advice and suggestions for all prevention and physical-therapeutic measures, sports medicine, new motory and rehabilitative activities. For lovers of golf, we have the prestigious Golf Club “La Pievaccia” in Monsummano Terme.
Two further interesting attractions are our horse racetrack “Sesana”, where champion horses like Varenne have raced and, a few kilometers from our Terme facilities, a volley facility that is one of the most important in Europe.

Volley Facility
Very near Montecatini Terme, you can find one of the most important competition volley facilities in Europe.
Domestic and international competitions take place here and it is open to all those are interested in practising this sport or simply wish to try once the thrill of shooting, maybe taking some lessons in maximum safety and in the open air.
Trainers are at the highest level, as they are Olympic champions and Volley Federation Teachers with long experience and a great passion.
The track has 9 plants and extends 400 meters in length.

The following Olympic disciplines can be practised:
- trap
- Olympic skeet
- double trap
- hunting route
- compact sporting
- American trap or Around the Clock
- elica
Source: Montecatini Tourist Office

Horseback Riding
A horse is certainly the ideal fellow to fully live nature. In not so many sports and open-air activities can you enjoy the intense relationship that develops between man and environment, as you can with horseback riding.

If you are an expert rider or just a beginner and you want to make the most of your holiday in our Valdinievole valley, no worry: we can offer you specialized riding centres and farm holiday facilities spread throughout our territory.
You can try new riding tracks, or start anew on easy and safe paths with the help of an expert trainer.


Details and addresses of the riding centres where you can have this fascinating experience can be found at our information point.
Source: Montecatini Tourist Office

Golf
Montecatini Golf is an 18-hole, 5857 meters, 72 par golf course; it is situated in the Tuscan countryside, in Monsummano Terme, Valdinievole. It was established on the property of an ancient family and its location is rich in wonderful views and is characterized by its luxurious, beautiful vegetation and historic and cultural aspects. The course follows the conformation of the sweet Tuscan hills and presents some holes of extraordinary technical and landscape attraction.
Olive trees that mark the delicate doglegs of the fairways and the edges of the course characterize the first nine holes. The second group of nine holes is immersed in the Mediterranean green, while the colours and perfumes of heather, broom and laurel make a frame for them. Two lakes are along the course and make the game more demanding.

Greens are very fast and characterized by difficult slopes, challenging the cleverness of players. A golf course, in brief, that requires the maximum attention at all times, to such an extent that you never get accustomed to the play and you always enjoy new experiences and emotions.
Finally, the Golf Clubhouse was established in an area of Etruscan and Roman settlements that date back to before the year 1000. It was completely restored respecting its historical structure and is in full harmony with the surrounding landscape.
Source: Montecatini Tourist Office

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Wine and Food Specialties

Sweets
The homemade “Cialde di Montecatini” are produced by a family of the town, which since 1936, has been churning out these wafers following the traditional recipe.

Very simple: this extraordinary sweet is completely free of fats and preservatives, made up of two fragrant wafers with flour, sugar, milk, eggs and ground almonds. They can be enjoyed with ice cream, dessert wine or just as they are: you will not forget that moment of pleasure.

It is a gastronomic indulgence that you should not lose; it is a temptation you can only experience in Montecatini Terme.


Source: Montecatini Tourist Office

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Itineraries

Montecatini Terme is a fascinating and cultural town that lays few kilometres from the main art towns in Tuscany: it confirms itself as the capital of physical natural treatments and wellbeing centres where you can spend a regenerating holiday.
The green of its parks, the thermal facilities appointed with the most innovative technological equipment, and an accomodation centre with a long welcoming tradition offer you the opportunity of relaxing in the most pleasant way. For those who look for the unmistakable atmosphere of “Belle époque”, there are the historical Café delle Terme, Locanda Maggiore, the Gambrinus Arcade and the thermal spa establishments with frescoes and decoration in the Art Nouveau Style. Those who wish to forget the routines and obligations of everyday life, there are many occasions at their disposal: sports facilities, the horseracing track, shopping areas, places for spare-time and fun, events and music festivals where high-quality music always has the main role, according to the tradition of this town that welcomed, among other musicians, Giuseppe Verdi. There are also tours to the surrounding places: first of all Montecatini Alto that was the seat of our Commune up to 1905. A special emotion is guaranteed if you reach the picturesque village on the hill by the oldest cable railway in the world. Once you are up there, you will see the astonishing panorama of the town below and the whole Valdinievole valley.

Historical Places
The signs of an unrepeatable time in Montecatini are not only to be found in the beauty of its thermal resorts. Some historical places still today amaze the visitor and take him back to the atmosphere of “La Belle Époque”.
At our Terme Tettuccio, you can visit “Sala del Caffè” with its Belle Époque furniture, the frescoes by Giulio Bargellini and the landscapes by Maria Biseo: it is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular rooms. Nearby you can admire the Writing Room, decorated by Giuseppe Moroni. Our “Gran Café Gambrinus” was inaugurated in 1931, in the area of Locanda Maggiore, and became one of the most appreciated worldly meeting points. “Circolo dei Forestieri” (Foreigner Circle) is located in the frame of the Art Nouveau style Terme Tamerici and has maintained its characteristic cultural centre, with art exhibitions, concerts, and meetings. Villa Forini Lippi is the seat of our municipal library and is appreciated for its garden that has become the setting for our Summer open-air cinema. You can also visit further historic places, such as the house of Ruggero Leoncavallo and the historical hotels where important visitors would stay: La Pace Hotel and Plaza-Locanda Maggiore Hotel, just to name a few. The town Art Academy was recently founded and houses extremely important art works by Chini, Guttuso, Messina, Léger, Annigoni and the lately restored, precious piano that Giuseppe Verdi used to play when in Montecatini.
Source: Montecatini Tourist Office

Art Nouveau Itinerary
Between the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, Montecatini became an international centre of the “Art Nouveau Style” and could boast famous artists and renowned characters as its guests. Just try to imagine living during the Belle Époque time and start walking from Piazza del Popolo, immerse yourself into the elegant atmosphere of Viale Verdi. The absolute central character is Galileo Chini with his works and ceramics made in the factory founded by him in 1896, assisted by the best architects, artists and decorators of the time. Do admire Locanda Maggiore, Gambrinus Arcade, Politeama Theatre, today named “Cinema Teatro Imperiale”, the Town Hall with its wonderful glass works, Cinema Excelsior, Tamerici Pavilion, Terme Excelsior, once a casino and Grand Café, and today a thermal resort. In the green of the park, do appreciate the harmony of Terme Leopoldine, Terme Torretta and Terme Tamerici. At the end of the avenue, you’ll see the imposing façade of Terme Tettuccio, the maximum expression of beauty in open spaces and a large environment. You can admire the decorations of the dome of the orchestra gallery, the historic Writing Room, the ancient Grand Café, and above all the fascinating “Water drinking gallery”, with its astonishing ceramic panels depicting the seasons of life by Basilio Cascella. Lose yourself in the streets of the town, turn your eyes to admire the eclectic style of Theatre Casino Kursaal, the prestigious Grand Hotel La Pace, Rinfresco Palace, decorated with majolica friezes with the stylised motif of the rose, typical of the Mackintosh art style.
Source: Montecatini Tourist Office

Town & Music
Montecatini and its thermal resorts has always been the proper frame for the great protagonists of musical history.
Gioacchino Rossini would stay at Locanda Maggiore, where they still maintain his “music room". Giacomo Puccini stayed for a long time at Appennino Hotel in Montecatini Alto and there he worked at his “La Fanciulla del West”. He used to discuss the projects of new operas with other eminent guests, such as Arturo Toscanini and Enrico Caruso. Ruggero Leoncavallo became here one of the most important promoters of the local cultural life and fell in love with the town to such an extent that he moved here once and for all. Giuseppe Verdi was a regular guest here since 1882 and for the following nineteen years. During his summer stays, he would meet Arrigo Boito and Giulio Ricordi and make friends with the director of Locanda Maggiore Hotel, Napoleone Melani, and Doctor Pietro Grocco. In Montecatini, he composed the third act of “Othello” and prepared the orchestration for “Falstaff”. A commemorative tablet in Piazza del Popolo remembers him. His recently restored piano is kept at the Art Academy “Dino Scalbrino”. Montecatini Terme had many other famous guests: Pietro Mascagni, Richard Strauss, Alberto Franchetti (who was here with D'Annunzio), Umberto Giordano, Ildebrando Pizzetti and Riccardo Zandonai. Our town’s love and passion for music have remained untouched. Many concerts and musical events with the participation of musicians and orchestra directors of international fame are organized in Montecatini. Not only classical, but also jazz, ethnic music and good contemporary music played by great interpreters generally find here a perfect location and an attentive and enthusiastic audience.
Source: Montecatini Tourist Office

Montecatini Alto
Montecatini Alto is 290 meters high and the true “historical centre”: with an extraordinary panorama, overlooking the whole Valdinievole plain. It can be reached from Montecatini Terme by car (10-minute drive) or walking, following a nice hilly path called “La corta”.
The outline of the village stretches between two hills: one is dominated by the ancient Rocca di Castello Vecchio or Tramontana (a castle), the Church of St. Peter and the bell tower, while the other one is composed by the core including Torre del Castel Nuovo or Orologio and the Church Carmine, inside of which there is a 1595 painting showing the martyrdom of St. Sebastian: in the background of the painting, you can see Montecatini and its land of the time represented. There used to be eight gates in the wall, but now only one is left, Porta di Borgo, with the Benedictine Church and Monastery of St. Mary Ripa. If you walk all around the wall, you can see Poet Giuseppe Giusti’s and Sir Ugolino Caccini’s houses: the latter being the first to celebrate the value of Montecatini thermal waters. During your walk, you can discover the main square of the village, characterized by the original Art Nouveau Theatre Risorti, browse round the artisan shops and finally stop at the typical restaurants where you can try a local dish and bring back with you the souvenir of a sweet relaxing area.
Source: Montecatini Tourist Office

Cable Railway
Inaugurated in 1898, it is composed of two wagons, Gigio & Gigia, and is the oldest operating cable railway in the world: through a breathtaking ascent, you can reach the old heart of Montecatini.
It covers 1,050 meters with an inclination of 202 meters that is steepest in the last stretch, up to a 38.50 % gradient.

The two flaming red wagons (one goes up while the other one goes down) cover the distance between the stations of Montecatini Terme and Montecatini Alto in about 10 minutes.

A technical miracle of a long time ago permits to the passengers of today to enjoy a slow, natural and picturesque route.
Source: Montecatini Tourist Office

Ancient Traced Routes
Those who love to walk can decide to go to Montecatini Alto following an original path that parallels the cable railway line. It is the route “La Corta” that climbs the hill among olive-trees and presents artistic “Stations of the Cross”. On the occasion of the Friday of the Holy Week this is even more characteristic because a night religious procession is organized along this path. Covering the routes that, many centuries ago, connected the plain to the hill and starting from the town quarter Casina Rossa, you can follow “Via Amore” and enjoy the green bush of our Mediterranean woods. Through this path you can join the path “Corta” again, pass under the Cable Railway Bridge and admire the ancient public wash-tubs. Following the detour corresponding to “Via Foresta”, you can walk longer and reach Montecatini Alto arriving in front of the Benedictine Monastery, St. Mary Ripa.
An immersion in a remote time and a walk in our beautiful and sweet Tuscan landscape, a few steps from Terme and Wellbeing.
Source: Montecatini Tourist Office

Villa Bellavista
The splendid Villa Bellavista stands a few kilometres from Montecatini Terme, near Borgo a Buggiano.
In 1673, Marquis Francesco Feroni purchased from Grand Duke Cosimo III de' Medici a farm with 45 holdings, located on a hill probably originating from a reclaimed land of the Fucecchio marsh. He built here a harmonious edifice with a garden and a noble chapel, a magnificent avenue enriched with statues, ornamental vases and a central large pond in front of the villa.
Villa Bellavista has lived alternate historical events: during the Second World War, it was a hospital. Today it is a property of the Ministry of Interiors and is assigned to the National Assistance Board for Fire Brigades. The rooms on the round floor house an original Historical Regional Museum of the Fire Brigades.
Source: Montecatini Tourist Office