Incanto di primavera – La magia floreale del LibertySpring Enchantment: The Floral Magic of Art NouveauIncanto di primavera – La magia floreale del Liberty

For over a decade, Incanto Liberty has distinguished itself through numerous city events celebrating the Liberty Style and the Belle Époque movement of the early 1900s. This year, to further exalt the beauty of Art Nouveau, we have drawn inspiration from the floral aesthetics found in the works of Mucha, Klimt, and Galileo Chini.

Incanto Liberty celebrates Montecatini and its excellence at the height of its splendor with “Spring Enchantment,” the opening event of our 2026 season. It is a tribute to the lifestyle of an era of change and the birth of a new social form that flourished in every field: art, music, literature, sports, and gastronomy.

The unmissable equestrian parade opens the spring festival. The reference to Liberty-style florals is conveyed not only by the shape and style of original late-19th-century carriages but also by the participants, their “new” attire, and the manners they display—symbols of a renewed lifestyle. Elegance and refinement will be enhanced by a floral theme, with carriages adorned by flowers from the historic Pescia district, accompanied by young ladies surrounded by floral elements. Each crew and carriage is dedicated to one of the flowers most celebrated by Art Nouveau art.

The spring days will be enriched by seminars, exhibitions, and cultural meetings recalling the city’s golden years and the rediscovery of the sinuous style of which Montecatini is an excellent ambassador. The Montecatini of the Belle Époque was the “summer capital” of Italian opera and a refuge for the greatest artists, musicians, and painters of the century. Renowned names like Mascagni, Puccini, and Leoncavallo were frequent visitors, to the point that some of their most famous “arias” were composed among the flowers and statues of the thermal baths. We also honor Galileo Chini (author of the work La Primavera Classica), a world-famous painter and ceramicist who contributed most significantly to the city’s artistic heritage.

To pay homage to these beautiful spring days, period dance performances will be organized, recalling the choreographic motifs and forms typical of that vibrant period. The Belle Époque was an era of great social ferment that transformed dance from a court ritual into a public and social entertainment. The rapid success of this popular pastime led to the immediate birth of the first dance halls. Kursaal, Trianon, and Excelsior were some of the city’s symbolic venues.

The thermal baths were not just places of healing; they became true centers of encounter where culture and entertainment made the city competitive at a European level, to the point that, 100 years later, Montecatini Terme is among the 11 Great Spa Towns of Europe (the only one in Italy) and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

PROGRAM: THE FLORAL MAGIC OF ART NOUVEAU

April 30

• 06:30 PM: Welcome Vernissage – Ex Palazzo del Turismo, Viale Verdi, 68 – Montecatini Terme
• 09:00 PM: Renato Fucini’s Sonnets in Vernacular

May 1

• 12:00 PM: Inauguration of the exhibition “The Floral Magic of Art Nouveau” – Ex Palazzo del Turismo, Viale Verdi, 68 (Open 03:00 PM – 07:00 PM | *Exhibition open until May 3)
• 04:30 PM – 05:30 PM: Wagonette carriage parade on the track with youth from the “Centro Anch’io” day center – Sesana Hippodrome, Montecatini Terme
• 05:00 PM: Theatrical performances and readings of autograph material by Galileo Chini, by the Teatro Idea company of Borgo San Lorenzo – Ex Palazzo del Turismo

May 2

• 03:30 PM: Cultural walk through Montecatini Terme accompanied by Dr. Roberto Pinochi, historian of Valdinievole; route starting from Montecatini Centro station to the Tamerici establishment – in collaboration with FAI Valdinievole.
• 05:30 PM: Seminar “The Art of Gardens Through the Centuries” by Professor Alessandro Natali (agronomist, PhD in plant biology) – Ex Palazzo del Turismo
• 06:30 PM: Seminar “Small Botany of Art Nouveau: flowers, women, and symbols” by Dr. Claudia Cammillozzi – Ex Palazzo del Turismo

May 3

• 04:30 PM: Equestrian parade of early 20th-century carriages with harnessed horses and crews in costume by the Ippica La Ciompa Association. Each carriage with a miss on board is paired with a floral theme. The parade will depart from the hippodrome and pass through Corso Roma, Piazza del Popolo, Via San Martino, Viale Verdi to reach Piazza D. Giusti in front of the Tettuccio thermal establishment until 06:00 PM.
• 06:00 PM: Period dance performances by the Compagnia della Bizzarria d’Amore in Piazza del Popolo, Viale Verdi, and Piazza D. Giusti.
• 07:00 PM: Dances will continue at the Historic Tettuccio Café for an evening of music, dancing, and floral cocktails. Farewell and thanks.

Montecatini Terme awaits you to experience authentic emotions through culture, wellness, and events. Follow us on our social media channels to stay updated on all appointments and discover the latest news in the program.
Instagram
Facebook

Be inspired by our travel ideas to find the experience that best suits your needs.
See our vacation ideas