How to get there, what to see and what are the spa facilities of Salsomaggiore Terme: all the information on the ancient "village of salt".
Immersed in the green hills of the province ofParma, surrounded by old manors and splendid castles, famous for its thermal baths,Salsomaggiore Termeit is a town to be experienced and discovered. Since ancient times, the name of this center has been linked to that of salt and its powerful benefits and, since then, Salso Maiore (as it was called) has remained afavorite destination for those seeking relaxation and well-being.
The beneficial "dowries" of Salsomaggiore have their roots in the very distant past, about 1 million years ago, when the sea that extended up to the Apennines began to retreat, leaving the Po Valley rich in water with a high concentration ofiodine, bromine, sulfur and calcium. Precisely this determined the fortune of Salsomaggiore which, over the centuries, was able to exploit its subsoil, soon becoming a center of salt-iodine production of excellence so as to deserve the nickname "village of salt”. In 1839 it was finally Dr. Lorenzo Berzieri who treated a little girl with thermal water and had the brilliant idea of creating a real spa.
WHAT TO SEE IN SALSOMAGGIORE
The center of Salsomaggiore revolves around the famousTerme Berzieri and the homonymous square. This Art Nouveau building is already an eye-catcher in itself and shows an external elegance where nothing seems to be left to chance. In front of the spa building is theCage of Pozzo Scottiwhich represents one of the purest examples of Saucy Liberty. Alongside, however, the entire pedestrian area extends (from Viale Romagnosi), where theArmor Park, with the famous statues "nostalgia" and the "witch", and theMonument to Gian Domenico Romagnosi.
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The great Mazzini parkinstead it is located in the area that opens up behind Piazzale Berzieri and Via Roma. The natural entrance to this very active green area is made up ofTerme Zojawhich house the curative thermal departments of Salsomaggiore. In front of the Park entrance, right in Largo Bazzoni, is theMonument to the Resistance, characterized by two huge white doves.
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TABIANO TERME OF SALSOMAGGIORE
About 4 kilometers by road from Salsomaggiore stands the town of Tabiano, famous both for its "Baths" and for its Castle. History teaches that thesulphurous waters of Tabianowere created at the same time as those of Salso Maiore. In this case it was the parish priest Calestani who promoted its beneficial qualities and ensured that they were soon appreciated throughout Europe. The thermal establishment is called today “Emilio Respighi” and is a very popular destination for those seeking spa treatments immersed in silence and greenery.
AROUND
Salsomaggiore rises in the heart of the Emilian hills, where the famous road winds its wayVia dei Castelli of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza. Next to it arise the so-calledSalt Castlesof which Scipio, Tabiano, Contignano, Bargone and Gallinella are part. Not far away are also two of the most beautiful villages in Italy, namelyVigoleno and Castell'Arquato, true jewels that deserve more than one visit.
The city of Parma instead it is about an hour's drive away and, if you are thinking of doing an on the road in the Parma area, I absolutely recommend a stop in the historic centre.
HOW TO GET TO SALSOMAGGIORE TERME
It is possible to reach Salsomaggiore by car, train or bus:
- In the car: Autostrada del Sole (A1), Fidenza exit (about 12 km) or Parma-La Spezia motorway (A15), Parma Ovest exit (about 25 km)
- By train: The line is the Salsomaggiore-Fidenza, then from there there are connections to Milan and Bologna
- By bus: there are three companies that carry out the routes to Salsomaggiore and they are the Extraurban Tep Lines, the ExtraUrbane Seta Lines and the Marino Autolinee.
2 comments
Ho sentito parlare di Salsomaggiore molte volte ma non sono ancora riuscito a visitarlo. Il Palazzo Termale è di una bellezza sconvolgente, varrebbe solo questo il viaggio.
[…] La zona che si estende attorno ai Castelli del Ducato di Parma e Piacenza è perfetta per chi è a caccia di foglie color albicocca e fragola. Tra ottobre e novembre, i Colli Piacentini diventano il luogo ideale per vivere il foliage in tutte le sue sfaccettature. Consigliatissime le visite ai piccoli borghi di Castell’Arquato, Vigoleno e Salsomaggiore Terme. […]