The Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany ordered the construction of a large hotel – restored in the 1990s, it was reopened as a five-star spa hotel, Bagni di Pisa, now part of the Italian hospitality Collection group
San Giuliano Terme: Exploring the Ancient Thermal Springs and their Health Benefits
San Giuliano Terme has been known since ancient times for its thermal springs. The thermal water of San Giuliano Terme is believed to originate from rainwater that percolated through the earth’s crust and was heated by geothermal activity. The thermal water in the area is rich in minerals and trace elements, which are believed to have therapeutic properties. The water is naturally heated to temperatures ranging from 38°C to 40°C before reaching the surface. The ancient Romans built a thermal complex in the area and it is believed that the Etruscans before them also used the thermal waters. The water has health benefits, including reducing stress, relieving muscle tension and joint pain, improving circulation and promoting general well-being.
Bagni di Pisa: A Historical Thermal Destination in Tuscany
In the Middle Ages, thermal waters continued to be a popular destination for those seeking relief from various ailments. During the Renaissance, the baths were owned by the Medici family and were frequented by many famous artists and intellectuals of the time, including Galileo Galilei. In the 19th century, Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany ordered the construction of a large hotel to accommodate the growing number of visitors. It was designed in the neoclassical style and features frescoes and other decorations. Restored in the 1990s, it was reopened as a five-star spa hotel – now part of the Italian hospitality Collection group. Today, visitors can enjoy the thermal waters and spa treatments while exploring the rich history and culture of this Tuscan destination.
«We are located in the Monte Pisano area – Barbara Maria Fantelli, marketing manager of Bagni di Pisa, started recounting – and the structure was built inside the mountain. Climbing the hill behind us we reach the Café House, a large area that is always part of the palace and was a place where the nobility used to take tea and read poetry. Kings, queens, and nobles lived in the otium here for months on end. Percy Bysshe, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron. They stayed here: the bar is in fact called Bar Shelley, and the court is called Court Byron».
Relaxation and Serenity in San Giuliano Terme, Tuscany’s Thermal Destination
In San Giuliano Terme, near Pisa, there is a microclimate that invites relaxation of body and spirit. «Just 25 minutes from Marina di Pisa, Viareggio and Versilia and 15 kilometers from Lucca, in summer you can feel the breeze coming in from the sea on one side, while the mountains mitigate the cooler air coming in from Lucca on the other. The Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa is also visible from here, as the city is only 6 kilometers away. San Giuliano Terme is a quiet village and there is never any chaos».
Through the large window of the room that houses the bar, a light breeze blows in, stirring the curtains and tablecloth. Light strikes the flowers on the table, while classical music in the background expands and echoes off the high ceilings with their original frescoes. From here you can see the city center – embellished by the 12th-century Church of San Giovanni Battista and the Palazzo del Vicario, built in the 14th century. Bagni di Pisa is a point of reference for the community, also economically, providing employment for many people.
Equilibrium: A Holistic Approach to Medical Spa Programs and Nutrition Education
«Spas are open all year round and are our mother resource. We organize everything around them and specialize in medical spa programmes. In addition to therapeutic treatments and inhalations, there are medical programmes focused on diet with an aligned menu. It is called Equilibrium, a philosophy that unites all our packages and programmes».
Among the four pillars of this philosophy, nutrition. «Our medical staff consists of a health director, staff and dietician. In addition, the nutritionist follows our customers for the nutrition-related part with Equilibrium menus designed and edited together with the chef, Umberto Toscano. As part of our programme, there is a cookery course run by the chef, who teaches people how to cook in a healthy way and provides lessons that they then take home. Our approach is not restricted, but follows a holistic spirit. Here you can also drink wine. Customer happiness is our primary goal: if you only eat things you don’t like you will never be full, says the nutritionist».
Wellness Experience at Bagni di Pisa: From Equilibrium Menus to Thermal Treatments and Exercise
Then physical exercise. «It is our pleasure to contact you in advance before your arrival to create together with you the programme you would like to undertake, to find out about your needs and illnesses, and to design a tailor-made experience. Activities such as aqua aerobics in thermal water, walking and sports in the small gymnasium can be booked every morning».
The thermal baths: «We do treatments with slimming casts, mud baths and laminaria algae. The spa has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. We all have a level of latent inflammation that is due to our lifestyle and the spa helps to reduce that state of inflammation. Consequently, once the level is lowered, all other actions work better».
The fourth pillar concerns relaxation techniques: «mindfulness, breathing and managing emotional states. Among the various programmes: the Tuscan diet, the immuno diet, and Equilibrium ladies 50+ launched last year for women over 50, a targeted programme with treatments to compensate for what is missing after the menopause».
Bagni di Pisa, a Historical Thermal Spa near Pisa
There are two spas, one west and one east, which in total measure 2000 square meters. In addition, the garden, the courtyard, and the hillside. Five pools with a pergola, which can be opened. «We never closed, not even during the covid. The only closure, since it was compulsory, was during the lockdown, and then in June we reopened. Since it was a spa, we were able to stay open as well as the rest of the services: spa, bars, restaurants. In 2013 a small cavity was discovered and we dug it out by bringing in water. It is a small thermal cave for up to three people».
The clientele is half Italian and half international. There are two seasons: the first, which runs from October to April, welcomes an Italian clientele mainly linked to thermal baths, relaxation and spas; from April onwards, many foreign tourists arrive to discover the area. The airport is 20 minutes away with over fifty connections to major cities around the world, and the clientele arrives precisely from Pisa. «We can also satisfy those who want to go to the beach. Many customers prefer to stay here in peace and then organize a day at the beach as we have agreements with the main beach clubs in Versilia».
Bagni di Pisa: A Holistic Approach to Wellness and Relaxation in Tuscany
«The Monte Pisano allows you to do many outdoor activities such as biking, trekking, hiking and walking, while on the Serchio river, only a few kilometers away, you can do soft rafting and water trekking. In addition to the art and culture provided by the neighboring cities such as Lucca, Pisa and the entourage of medieval villages, you can do plenty of outdoor leisure activities». In the hillside part of the Monti Pisani, there are many companies, oil mills, with which Bagni di Pisa collaborates, for guided tours to assist in oil production. San Miniato is famous for truffles: October and November are the best times».
Bagni di Pisa collaborates with local artisans
On the menu is the Pisan cow, an indigenous type that is raised and bred in the San Rossore park. The park is huge, you can do lots of activities, and you can find lots of local and indigenous products there: from cows to pine nuts, and cheeses. The food and wine scene is very active and dynamic. It is not famous, but in terms of quality it is second to none.
«As far as handicrafts are concerned, we have marble production: a company in Massa Carrara, Perfume of Marble, links the knowledge of the raw material to perfumes. In Lucca, there are many shops related to leather goods that are Tuscan brands of remarkable quality that have focused so much on enhancing local craftsmanship. Today, true luxury is to possess the unique item that you can only find in one place. Santa Croce sull’Arno is the most important leather goods district in Italy. We are part of a network called Terre di Pisa that unites all the excellences of the territory, craftsmanship and hospitality. We have been part of it for more than 10 years. It is a recognition that must be maintained».
Italian hospitality Collection
The Italian hospitality Collection is based in Milan and is part of a group that is half Italian and half American and Canadian owned. Bagni di Pisa is owned by the Region of Tuscany.
