Veneto: Abano Terme and the Euganean Spas

The Euganean Spas have ancient origins as since the eighth century BC in this area the ancient Venetians founded the village of Aponus. The name of the city would derive from the Venetian divinity that the ancient pagans believed lived in the thermal waters of the area, whose Latin name was, indeed, Aponus; the etymology of the word itself would be closely related to water, with the meaning of "the element that takes the pain away". At the time, the curative characteristics of these thermal waters were considered of divine nature and therefore attributed to the god Aponus, and many were the believers who gathered around a small circular lake that was present in the area, which must had been characterized by several natural hot springs collected in small lakes, to bring their votive offerings. 

During the Roman Empire, the "patavinae waters" (waters of Padua) became a renowned tourist and health resort, a place to spend periods of relaxation, not only for their beneficial treatments, but also for pure pleasure and mental and physical well-being. Near the thermal springs structures for the reception and the leisure time, as theaters, libraries and villas were established. Despite the end of the Roman Empire, until the end of the sixth century the Euganean Spas continued to be very popular, then due to the Lombard invasions they fell into a long period of neglect. Only with the Republic of Venice the spa centers returned to their original glory; today the Euganean Spa, with over 130 establishments and about 240 pools, is the largest and most important spa centre in Europe.

Although the Euganean Hills are hilly reliefs of volcanic origin, any relationship between the hot waters and the Euganean volcanic phenomenon is excluded, as accurate studies have established that the waters are of meteoric nature (precipitation), which reach the ground in the pre-Alpine territory of the Little Dolomites from where they begin their slow descent between fracture systems of permeable limestone rocks, reaching depths of about 3000 meters, gaining temperature by geothermal effect (natural heating of the earth's crust as it descends towards the mantle). When they return to the surface, in the area of the Euganean Hills, they have an average temperature of 75°C and numerous mineral salts deriving from the melting of the rocks.

Abano Terme, the ancient Aponus mentioned above, is the most important and ancient center of the Euganean Spas and also the most renowned thermal center in Europe. It is located at the foot of the Euganean Hills, not far from Padua, and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful villages in the Veneto region. The thermal waters of Abano, known for their healing properties since ancient times, are the main attraction of the city, which, however, having been founded in the eighth century BC, is rich in both historical monuments and more contemporary works, such as its many fountains. 

During your relaxing vacation in Abano Terme, between one thermal bath and another, take some time to visit the center of this beautiful town. The historic center is developed around the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, which preserves works of art of great value, and in this area there are also many patrician villas, such as Villa Bassi Rathgeb, today seat of the Municipal Museum, and Villa Trevisan Savioli, today seat of the International Museum of the Mask. Other historical buildings worthy of note are certainly the Grand Hotel Orologio and the Hotel Trieste & Victoria, seat of the Italian Supreme Command during the First World War. An important historical evidence of the ancient thermal baths of Aponus is the archaeological area of Colle del Montirone; this small hilly park during the Roman Empire was rich in thermal springs that flowed naturally at a temperature of 80°C, around which later they built villas and spa facilities. Today you can still admire its stone basins and the monumental Corinthian colonnade, of the early twentieth century, at the entrance of the park. The pedestrian area of Abano Terme, on the other hand, is the heart of the most modern Abano; it extends from Piazza Fontana to the Montirone Gardens and is the true center of the city's entertainment, full of stores, hotels and clubs. This street of the city, as well as many squares, is characterized by the presence of several fountains, symbol of the strong connection between Abano and water. 

Near Abano, it is instead possible to visit several historical villages, including Arquà Petrarca, Este and Montagnana. Other places not to be missed are the Praglia Abbey and the Monumental Garden of Valsanzibio.