Sightseeing in Montecatini Terme - what to see. Complete travel guide

The Italian resort of Montecatini Terme enjoys a fabulous location at the foot of the Apennines, in the picturesque Nievole valley. This is a large thermal spring and spa resort that has gained worldwide recognition. Not only regular tourists and holidaymakers but also celebrities enjoy visiting this place. This region has many benefits such as the impeccable elegance and the atmosphere of luxury. Gorgeous parks and gardens create an idyllic view. Needless to say, the resort offers excellent service, making a vacation in Montecatini Terme even more comfortable and useful. The town’s streets still keep the rich heritage of the past. Take a stroll in the streets and parks of Montecatini Terme to enjoy the history of this settlement and admire its beauty.

Archaeological excavations in the region prove that the territory of the resort had inhabitants yet during the Palaeolithic age. These were the nomadic hunting tribes who were mostly living in the hills of the Valdievole. In the 14th century, the Florentines tried to capture this land. By that time, the invaders had already conquered Siena and Arezzo. However, Uguccione della Faggiuola, the leader of the Ghibellines, became the imperial representative in 1312. He started ruling in Pisa and Lucca. Three years after the appointment, the Ghibellines attacked Montecatini. The Florentines managed to repel the attack, but their luck didn’t last long. The rebels made another attempt to conquer the city and it was successful.

Florence succeeded in returning its territory only in the 20s of the 14th century. A hundred years later, the first baths opened in Montecatini. These baths were an essential part of the healing treatments. In 1554, the resort town became the epicenter of a military conflict between the two rival forces in Florence. In the summer of the same year, Siena occupied Montecatini. Local people were glad about this change because they disliked their former ruler. As a popular tourist destination, Montecatini started developing at the beginning of the 20th century. New hotels were opening in the region, and the quality of service was only getting better. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Nowadays, the town is conventionally divided into two parts – the old and the new. The old part, also known as Montecatini Alto, is located on a hill, the height of which reaches three hundred meters. To get to the top of the hill and admire the historical part of the town, tourists either need to walk or to use the cable road. Here it is important to mention that the cable road itself is a true attraction of Montecatini Terme. The age of this means of transport is more than a century. Do not worry about potential breakdowns – the town’s authorities keep an eye on the state of the historic heritage and maintain it in working condition.

Pay your attention to the mesmerizing views of the surroundings during a ride in the cable car. The panorama is so fabulous that the ride seems to be too short, and you almost regret reaching the top of the hill so fast. Here, you will see a popular local landmark – the Church of the Carmine. The shrine was built in 1764. Initially, there was a small Carmelite church on this site. However, the building didn’t survive in a battle. Local authorities decided to build a new church instead of the old one. This is how the white marble church named after Saint Jacob and Philip appeared in Montecatini Terme.

Nowadays, the Church of the Carmine is home to an antique altar. Made in the fourteenth century, the altar was brought to Montecatini Terme after the end of the construction works. The altar has only one nave but it looks majestic and elegant. The church has several precious artifacts such as the bas-relief of Madonna holding baby Jesus and the painting that immortalized the martyred destiny of Saint Sebastian. Several terracotta sculptures meet visitors at the entrance.

Young guests of the resort will surely find it interesting to visit Termeland. This is a popular amusement park with merry-go-rounds, various slides, and trampolines. The territory of the park is conventionally divided into several sectors. One of these sectors is dedicated to Disney characters, and another sector is inspired by medieval castles and fortresses. There is even an area where visitors can ride a car. A giant air-inflated Titanic is, perhaps, the most popular amusement in the park.

Older children will also not feel bored in Termeland. They can polish their skills in the shooting club or play paintball. If you visit the park with children and want a professional animator to take care of them, Termeland can gladly offer this service. There are professional babysitters and animators who keep an eye on children, so parents can relax and then return several hours later to find their child safe and entertained.

Car is a comfortable vehicle to reach Montecatini Terme. Road A11 is the most suitable. There are also trains to the thermal resort, and they depart from the nearby cities of Florence, Viareggio, and Lucca. Trains in this direction depart every thirty minutes and go straight to Montecatini Terme. Finally, there are buses that connect the abovementioned cities.