Bagni di Lucca, Italy

... More

The village of Bagni Caldi is the most important spa, with a warm spring, the "Doccione" (54 °C/129 °F), in a cave.

The little River Lima flows through the town before joining the Serchio a short distance to the west. Already well-known in the High Middle Ages, during the Belle Epoche the hot springs became popular with Europe's aristocracy. They also attracted several famous writers, among them Heinrich Heine whose visit in 1829 is recorded in an entertaining account of his travels "Die Bäder von Lucca" (The Lucca Baths). The elegant charm of this once fashionable and internationally famous spa town has long since faded without as yet being entirely lost. There are waterfalls near by where it is possible to bathe. The principal thermal baths are in the part of the town known as Bagni Caldi. Alterna- tively you can walk through thick chestnut woods to the hot springs themselves.

Medicinal properties

Of the several hot springs which surface here - with temperatures ranging from 38°C/100°F to 54°C/129°F - the Doccione, Bagno San Giovanni, Bernabio and Bagni alla Valla are used for therapeutic purposes.