Viterbo Thermal Baths
The hydromineral and hydrothermal basin of Viterbo is one of the most abundant in Italy. The spa area of Viterbo develops in a vast territory where there are both the so-called free and / or free zones where you can swim and enjoy the thermal waters in direct contact with nature (Bagnaccio, Piscine Carletti, Bulicame, Masse di San Sisto) and areas where there are wonderful establishments with adjoining hotels for those who prefer comfort is the spas.
History of Viterbo Thermal Baths
Etruscan Era: The thermal waters of the spa of Viterbo were already known and used by the Etruscans who had realized the welfare that can be drawn from these waters.
Roman period: Historically the Romans appreciated thermals very much and it was from them that the ideas and the most rational architectural form came. Also in the Viterbo area the baths were enlarged by the Romans with so many interventions that today they are found (in what remains of it) in a linear extension of about 10 km. There were three sources most exploited by the Romans: Aquae Passeris, Paliano and Bulicame.
The Bulicame is perhaps the best known beyond for its characteristics also for the quote that makes Dante Alighieri in the divine comedy and for the drawings of Michelangelo on the splendid thermal environment. Over time the structure and size of the spas underwent many changes but remained essential environments. There was a changing room, an environment for a hot bath (calidarium), a room for a cold bath (frigidarium). And then a room for the lukewarm thermal bath (tepidarium) that was usually centrally located and smaller than the other rooms. A room for the hot air bath (laconicum). A large pool (natatio) that occupied a rectangular compartment and a portico dedicated to gymnastics.
The Popes at the Baths of Viterbo: The thermal waters of Viterbo were appreciated by many Popes, including Bonifacio VIII and also the therapeutic properties of the Viterbo springs convinced Pope Nicholas V around 1500 to realize a residence to stay in Viterbo and enjoy the extraordinary natural heritage of the thermal baths to carry out cures and baths.
Viterbo. The Bullicame
The Thermal Basin
The thermal basin of Viterbo is very rich in waters that are classified according to temperature and chemical composition.
The waters are distinguished in hyperthermal (with temperature between 40 and 65 ° C) chemically classified as sulfate sulfate bicarbonate alkaline earthy. Thermal (30 ° C 40 ° C) and hypothermal (20 ° C 30 °) of alkaline earthy bicarbonate sulphate type, sometimes carbonic, often carbon ferruginous.
Viterbo. Thermal Spring
Bulicame source: It is the best known and has an outlet temperature of 58 ° C. It comes out in a pond with a deep natural crater very characteristic and protected by a transparent structure. In front of the park entrance, moreover, it is possible to visit the luxuriant Botanical Garden of the University of Tuscia.
Carletti pool source: Hyperthermal source has an outlet temperature of about 58 ° C, and feeds several pools that are the destination chosen by Viterbo and tourists.
Terme del Bacucco: Located at the northern limit of the thermomineral basin along the Strada Martana, these springs, at a temperature of 39 ° C and no longer visible on the surface, currently have a low flow rate. In ancient times, however, they were much larger, as evidenced by the remains of the majestic Roman spa buildings in the vicinity.
Thermal spring of the Zitelle: They are two sources, one of which is spontaneous and has a temperature of 56 ° C, while the other (65 ° C) derives from a drilling that was then closed again. This area is not accessible for swimmers.
Terme del Bagnaccio: This area includes several sources, both hyperthermal (65 66 ° C) and hypothermal (23 29 ° C), with some gas emissions that are sometimes used for insufflation. The five pools host many people in every season.
Thermal springs of the Masse di San Sisto thermal baths: Located at the southern end of the basin, at the junction of the Orte Viterbo Superstrada on the SS Cassia Sud (Località Palliano), they include a hot (58 ° C) and a cold (18 ° C). They are also a meeting place for swimmers.
Viterbo. Le Masse di San Sisto
Other minor hyperthermal springs: Present in the territory of Viterbo, and in some cases now buried, are the Troscione, S. Albino, Gigliola, Uliveto, S. Valentino, S. Giorgio, Crociata, della Grotta, Piazza d'Arme, Asinello, S Cristoforo, and finally other sources located inside the military area. These areas are not usable.
Viterbo thermal waters and hypothermal waters: The source currently most prominent among those belonging to this category is the Fonte Acqua Rossa, hypothermal water layer (22 24 ° C) particularly rich in carbonic acid (99% pure present). Located outside the thermal basin proper, it is located at km. 6 of the Strada Teverina, near Roman wells.
Other minor thermal springs in Viterbo are: the Acqua del Molino, ferruginous carbonate, located downstream of the Acqua Rossa. Some cold springs in Solfatara, north of Ferento, which have a high content of carbonic acid and hexane hydrogen sulphide. These waters are collected in a kind of pond where you can see ferrous and sulphurous deposits.
The spleen source, carbonate, located along the Strada Bagni and currently no longer visible on the surface.
The magnesium, carbonate spring, located behind the thermal baths "Terme dei Papi".
The Ferruginosa, also called Bagno del Papa, also located inside the "Terme dei Papi", has a considerable quantity of iron hydroxide.
A further type of water is represented by the middle mineral ones among which the most relevant is the Pisciarello spring (15 ° C), which, from the homonymous locality, is conveyed to a fountain located in the main square of Bagnaia (fraction of Viterbo) and is used for its extraordinary diuretic properties.
Moving towards the coast, just a few minutes from the Archaeological Park of Vulci, nestled between the Tuscia countryside, the Terme di Vulci is an oasis of well-being completely surrounded by unspoiled nature: four large pools of spring water with a temperature that it goes from 42 to 30 ° C, to enjoy the beneficial properties of this water at any temperature.
Vulci water is bicarbonate, sulphated, calcic, magnesium, fluoridated, acidulous and ferruginous, microbiologically pure and naturally carbonated. These thermal waters have important beneficial properties, in fact they are used in balneo mud therapies for the treatment of arthro-rheumatic diseases and in balneo therapies for the treatment of dermatological diseases and phlebopathies.
Vulci Thermal Baths
LINKS:
Terme del Papi: www.termedeipapi.it/
Hotel Salus Terme: www.hotelsalusterme.it
Terme di Vulci: https://termedivulci.com/
"Il Bagnaccio" Association: http://bagnaccio.it/
Le Masse di San Sisto: Facebook "Terme delle Masse di San Sisto - Viterbo"
