Piazza Bagni and the Spa Quarter

Where it is

The Piazza Bagni area lies behind the harbour of Casamicciola, less than a kilometre from the coast, where the town begins to climb towards Monte Epomeo and upper Casamicciola. Its centre is Piazza Bagni (literally “Baths Square”), officially Piazza Bagni di Gurgitello, around which lie the springs and establishments that made the town famous.

The two thermal basins

The Gurgitello basin

On the eastern side of the square, at the foot of the Ombrasco hill, lies the Gurgitello basin. Seven springs converge here: the Gurgitello spring, the Stomaco or Cappone spring, the Oro, Argento and Ferro springs (Gold, Silver and Iron), the Ombrasco spring and the Santa Maria del Popolo spring. The saline-bicarbonate-alkaline waters emerge at between 60 and 65 °C.

The Cotto and Sinigallia basin

On the western side, at the foot of the Olivo and Pera hills, is the Cotto and Sinigallia basin, with waters of between 50 and 60 °C. Its springs include the Tamburo, the Occhio and the Spelonca.

The historic spas

Around the two basins stand the establishments that tell the story of centuries of spa culture: the Antiche Terme Belliazzi, the Antiche Terme Manzi and the Antiche Terme Fiola, on Via Ombrasco. Right by the Gurgitello stood the old hospice of the Pio Monte della Misericordia: in the 19th century the thermal hospital occupied much of today's square, before being reborn on the seafront after 1883. The origins of this vocation are told in The Birth of Spa Tourism and History of the Gurgitello.

History and famous figures

In 1864 Giuseppe Garibaldi stayed for a day at Villa Manzi, next to the establishment of the same name, and took the cure with the Occhio and Gurgitello waters. In 1952 Angelo Rizzoli began rebuilding the Manzi spa and hotel. Before town life shifted towards the coast, Piazza Bagni was one of the most important hubs of Casamicciola.

The area today

Today the area is at the centre of urban regeneration projects that aim to make water once again a defining feature of the town. Some spaces may be affected by building works.

Things to do

• Stroll among the springs and the façades of the historic spas.
• Follow the Piazza Bagni – Via Tommaso Morgera walk up to the upper part of the town.
• Carry on towards La Sentinella or Piazza Maio.