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.
This is not a single location, but a transnational heritage that connects eleven spa towns across seven different European countries.
Alongside Montecatini, this international network includes: Baden bei Wien (Austria), Spa (Belgium), Vichy (France), Bath (United Kingdom), Bad Ems, Baden-Baden and Bad Kissingen (Germany), and the Czech towns of Františkovy Lázně, Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně.
These towns, true pioneers of modern tourism, perfectly embody the phenomenon of European spa culture that flourished between the 18th and 20th centuries.
Spa Culture as an Urban and Social Experience
It’s not just about healing, it’s about living a ritual: the daily intake of therapeutic mineral waters (through bathing, drinking, or inhalation), light outdoor physical activity, leisure, and opportunities for social interaction.
This integrated wellness model shaped the architecture, landscape, and very lifestyle of these towns.
In Montecatini, spa treatments shaped the city itself: the thermal establishments, parks, tree-lined avenues, and buildings were all designed in perfect harmony between therapeutic function and aesthetic beauty. This “therapeutic landscape” is now one of the key elements behind the UNESCO recognition.
A Living Legacy, Not an Open-Air Museum
The Great Spa Towns of Europe are not merely guardians of the past: they are living, evolving places that continue to attract travelers from around the world, even those who may not be seeking a cure, but rather a cultural experience.
Montecatini is a leading figure in this international network: a symbol of how local identity can engage with global heritage, offering a regenerative and sustainable form of tourism.
FIND OUT MORE ON THE UNESCO WEBSITE
