Casamicciola Terme

Casamicciola carries its thermal waters in its very name: ‘Terme’ means spa. Beneath the town, the island’s volcanic activity heats waters that rise through faults and fractures in the ground: Italy’s Civil Protection Department notes that hot waters and gas emissions are among the signs of a volcano that is currently quiescent. From this deep heat spring the waters that, for centuries, have made Casamicciola one of the capitals of European spa culture.

The municipality has four major hydrothermal basins. In Piazza Bagni, in the heart of the town, lie the Gurgitello basin and the Cotto and Sinigallia basin; in the upper town, in a valley on the slopes of Monte Epomeo, is the La Rita basin; and on the eastern coast, where hot water flows right down to the sea, the Castiglione basin.

These waters have a long history: in 1588 the physician Giulio Iasolino described their virtues in his treatise De' rimedi naturali che sono nell'isola di Pithecusa, hoggi detta Ischia; in 1604 the Pio Monte della Misericordia opened a house next to the Gurgitello offering free treatment to the poor of Naples; and in the 19th century villas, hotels and spa buildings welcomed illustrious guests, from Garibaldi to writers from northern Europe. This page presents the thermal sites from a geographical, historical and cultural perspective.

Mindful well-being: this content is provided for tourism and cultural purposes. Thermal treatments should only be undertaken at authorised facilities and on medical advice.