Montecatini Terme has an unbreakable bond with Giuseppe Verdi, who loved to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy the benefits of the thermal waters, an indispensable source of serenity and artistic inspiration for the great master.

The city’s tribute to the composer

In return for this admiration, the city has dedicated its most important avenue to the great composer, the centrally located Viale Verdi, along which it is possible to encounter a number of places dedicated to the artist, first and foremost the Verdi Theater.

The memorial statue

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a mighty bronze statue of Giuseppe Verdi by Russian artist Aidyn Zeinalov.

Origins: “Le Terme Garden Theater”

The original name of the structure was “Teatro Giardino Le Terme,” as it was designed by architect Ludovico Fortini as an open-air theater in the surrounding Pine Forest.

The transformations of the 1980s

During the 1980s the Verdi Theater faced major transformations: in 1981 it was fitted with a fixed techno-structure roof, radically changing its original configuration.

From opera house to television

From a great temple of opera music, the theater was later used by RAI as a studio theater in the 1980s, becoming the location for some famous Italian variety programs such as “Serata d’Onore,” “Torno sabato” and the more recent “Cavalli di Battaglia” by Gigi Proietti.

Vacation ideas

Outdoor Montecatini: between relax and discovery

The territory of Montecatino lends itself magnificently to exploration: panoramic paths wind through centuries-old olive groves and lush vineyards, offering breathtaking views of the Valdinievole.

A journey among the historic Montecatini spas

To stroll through Montecatini’s historic spas is to embark on a journey through time, where water becomes not only a source of well-being but also the inspiring muse of majestic architecture and refined decorations.

Great SPA towns of Europe: Montecatini Terme is a UNESCO world heritage site

Since July 24, 2021, Montecatini Terme has officially become part of an extraordinary cultural project: the Great Spa Towns of Europe, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Opened in December 2012, Mo.C.A. (Montecatini Contemporary Art) was born in one of Montecatini Terme’s iconic buildings: the Palazzo Comunale, an architectural masterpiece of the early 20th century.

A place of great historical and cultural value that is now transformed into an exhibition space dedicated to contemporary art.

Between art and memory: a restoration that tells

The project has restored environments of rare beauty that were once occupied by post offices until 2007. As evidence of that original function, Galileo Chini’s splendid historiated stained glass windows, dedicated to the theme of communication, decorate and enrich the exhibition rooms.

A collection with an international scope

The Mo.C.A. is the first Civic Gallery in Montecatini and houses works of great prestige. Prominent among them is Joan Miró’s monumental painting, Woman Wrapped in a Bird’s Flight, made between 1975 and 1978 and donated by the artist to the city in 1980 on the occasion of the “Homage to Miró” event.

Sculptures and signatures of great art

The collection also includes sculptures by the Swiss artist Claraz, featured in the famous Larousse encyclopedia, and works by prominent artists such as Orfeo Tamburi, Umberto Buscioni, Sergio Scatizzi, and Marco Lodola, making the museum a landmark for 20th-century and contemporary art.

A living center of culture and experimentation

Mo.C.A. is much more than a museum: it is an active laboratory for the promotion of contemporary visual languages, with temporary exhibitions and educational activities. A space designed to engage, excite and experience art in all its forms.

Vacation ideas

Outdoor Montecatini: between relax and discovery

The territory of Montecatino lends itself magnificently to exploration: panoramic paths wind through centuries-old olive groves and lush vineyards, offering breathtaking views of the Valdinievole.

A journey among the historic Montecatini spas

To stroll through Montecatini’s historic spas is to embark on a journey through time, where water becomes not only a source of well-being but also the inspiring muse of majestic architecture and refined decorations.

Great SPA towns of Europe: Montecatini Terme is a UNESCO world heritage site

Since July 24, 2021, Montecatini Terme has officially become part of an extraordinary cultural project: the Great Spa Towns of Europe, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overlooking the right side of Viale Verdi, the Town Hall Building was built between 1913 and 1919 where the Grand Ducal Stables once stood.

Its construction was in response to the need to provide Montecatini Terme with a civic seat appropriate to the prestige and growth the city was experiencing.

Architecture between classicism and eclecticism

Designed by architect Raffaello Brizzi and municipal engineer Luigi Righetti, the building was inspired by Tuscan Renaissance palaces, while incorporating elements of the Eclecticism in vogue at the time, in a harmonious balance between tradition and modernity.

A treasure trove of art signed by Galileo Chini

Inside, the entrance staircase is illuminated by polychromatic stained glass windows made by Galileo Chini, who also embellished the ceiling with an allegorical pictorial cycle dedicated to good governance: Working, Building, Knowing, Prospering in Peace.

From municipal headquarters to contemporary art

The ground floor, where the post offices once stood, now houses the MO.C.A. (Montecatini Contemporary Art) civic gallery. Here one can admire the work “Woman Wrapped in a Bird’s Flight,” donated by Joan Mirò in 1980, along with temporary exhibitions and contemporary installations. Chini’s historiated stained glass windows, dedicated to the theme of communication, make the space even more striking.

Vacation ideas

Great SPA towns of Europe: Montecatini Terme is a UNESCO world heritage site

Since July 24, 2021, Montecatini Terme has officially become part of an extraordinary cultural project: the Great Spa Towns of Europe, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tuscany, land of wines and authentic flavors

Tuscany, with its gentle rolling hills, rows of vines tracing geometries across the landscape, and olive groves glistening in the sun, tells a millennia-old story of agriculture and deep respect for the land.

A journey among the historic Montecatini spas

To stroll through Montecatini’s historic spas is to embark on a journey through time, where water becomes not only a source of well-being but also the inspiring muse of majestic architecture and refined decorations.

The present Montecatini Centro station was originally named “Leopoldina” and was the city’s only railroad yard for many years.

Since the early twentieth century, however, it proved insufficient to handle the high number of visitors flocking to Montecatini, especially during the spa season.

A new station for a growing city

To meet this need, a second station was built in 1937 by architect Angiolo Mazzoni. The building, with its imposing yet harmonious architecture, was constructed using stone from nearby Monsummano Terme.

An interior that tells the story of the past

The waiting room, now restored, retains its original charm and is an example of the rationalist architecture of the time, contributing to the cultural value of the entire complex.

Vacation ideas

Great SPA towns of Europe: Montecatini Terme is a UNESCO world heritage site

Since July 24, 2021, Montecatini Terme has officially become part of an extraordinary cultural project: the Great Spa Towns of Europe, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tuscany, land of wines and authentic flavors

Tuscany, with its gentle rolling hills, rows of vines tracing geometries across the landscape, and olive groves glistening in the sun, tells a millennia-old story of agriculture and deep respect for the land.

A journey among the historic Montecatini spas

To stroll through Montecatini’s historic spas is to embark on a journey through time, where water becomes not only a source of well-being but also the inspiring muse of majestic architecture and refined decorations.

A central figure in the history of Montecatini Terme, Dr. Pietro Grocco was appointed in 1892 as Government Inspector and Sanitary Director of the thermal baths.

With his intervention, the baths were reorganized and made an integrated system, demonstrating how the state should protect and enhance the thermal waters as a public good. His contribution laid the foundation for the modern Montecatini Spa complex.

A cottage between elegance and prestige

Located in the southern part of Montecatini Alto, on Mura Pietro Grocco Street, the eponymous cottage reflects the stature of its owner. Nestled in a lush garden, the building resembles a small castle: loggias, towers and jutting roofs define its refined aesthetic. Giuseppe Verdi, whose personal physician Grocco was, was also a guest here.

A work signed by Vittorio Bardini

The villa was designed by Pistoiese engineer Vittorio Bardini and opened on July 6, 1902. Its unique style and cozy atmosphere made it an exclusive and representative place of Montecatini prestige from the very beginning.

Today a fine accommodation facility

Villino Grocco has kept its charm intact and now houses a hospitality business, welcoming visitors in a setting that combines history, architecture and nature.

Vacation ideas

Great SPA towns of Europe: Montecatini Terme is a UNESCO world heritage site

Since July 24, 2021, Montecatini Terme has officially become part of an extraordinary cultural project: the Great Spa Towns of Europe, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tuscany, land of wines and authentic flavors

Tuscany, with its gentle rolling hills, rows of vines tracing geometries across the landscape, and olive groves glistening in the sun, tells a millennia-old story of agriculture and deep respect for the land.

A journey among the historic Montecatini spas

To stroll through Montecatini’s historic spas is to embark on a journey through time, where water becomes not only a source of well-being but also the inspiring muse of majestic architecture and refined decorations.

Villino Scalabrino is a symbolic place in the history of Montecatini Terme, linked to prominent figures in the city and in Tuscany. It was commissioned by physician Alberto Scalabrino from architect Giulio Bernardini, a central figure in the city’s urban planning.

He is credited with such masterpieces as the Grand Hotel & La Pace, the Bristol, the Eden and the Torretta, Fortuna and Tamerici spas.

The garden signed by Pietro Porcinai

In the 1950s, at the behest of Dino Scalabrino-famous health director of the spa-the villa was enlarged and enriched by landscape architect Pietro Porcinai, considered the greatest Italian landscape architect of the 20th century. Walking along Via Magenta, it is still possible to admire the elegant ornamental garden, designed with vegetation inspired by spa parks and with a gate with the typical curved lines of Art Nouveau.

A partnership between art, nature and healing

The understanding between Porcinai and Dino Scalabrino was consolidated over time. In 1969, the latter commissioned the architect to create an outdoor museum at Villa Ortensie, the future heart of the Dino Scalabrino Art Academy. A project that combines nature, wellness and culture.

A private and discreet beauty

Today the Villino Scalabrino is privately owned and cannot be visited, but it remains one of the most fascinating buildings on the Montecatinese architectural scene, a witness to an era of great artistic and cultural ferment.

Vacation ideas

Great SPA towns of Europe: Montecatini Terme is a UNESCO world heritage site

Since July 24, 2021, Montecatini Terme has officially become part of an extraordinary cultural project: the Great Spa Towns of Europe, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tuscany, land of wines and authentic flavors

Tuscany, with its gentle rolling hills, rows of vines tracing geometries across the landscape, and olive groves glistening in the sun, tells a millennia-old story of agriculture and deep respect for the land.

A journey among the historic Montecatini spas

To stroll through Montecatini’s historic spas is to embark on a journey through time, where water becomes not only a source of well-being but also the inspiring muse of majestic architecture and refined decorations.