Spas in Abruzzo

The pleasure of water

The importance of the healing waters goes back to Greek and Roman times when the Greek God Asclepio and the Roman equivalent Esculapio represented health recovered by using waters. The Christian religion itself in the most famous sanctuaries used waters as a means of purification and recovery. The hermitage sanctuary of St Venanzio in Raiano (AQ) is built over the river Aterno. The believers wet those parts of the body suffering from rheumatism and arthritis. The milkless puerperae too drink water and pray St Agnese, St Scolastuica and St Agata.

The women who find difficulty in getting pregnant try to find a solution drinking water when they visit the country church and traditional fountains dedicated to the above mentioned saints. Waters were used by the farmers to prevent the vines from getting the mildew. In 1828 Prof. Covelli, from the University of Naples, made an accurate research about the therapeutic waters of Abruzzo.

He rediscovered the healing virtues of “Acqua Ventina” springing from the three hills (Pinne) on which the town of Penne was built. It used to be very famous and only an accurate restoration might make it famous again. Good health is the age long objective of the Abruzzese waters and remarkably in three places: Caramanico, Popoli and Canistro; these are the most famous SPA in Abruzzo.

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CARAMANICO

Caramanico is situated on the steep of a spur, a declining extension of Monte Amaro, the highest peak of the Majella; this spur separated the river bed of Orte from the deep valley of Orfento. On its 700 metres above the sea level, Caramanico, protected by the climatic barrier of the surrounding high peaks, is a privileged starting point for archaeological and naturalistic excursions.

Valle Giumentina (Abbateggio) is one of the most recommended excursions. It is situated on the banks of a vanished lake where manufactured articles, from the Paleolitic, have been found. These articles are displayed in a small museum in the natural preserve of Valle dell’Orfento. Caramanico is an ideal place for hydrologic cures thanks to its mild climate and artistic beauties.

The Spring “La salute”

The salsobromoidic waters of Caramanico are well known in Italy for its content sulphur hydrogen. The water springs out from the Santa Croce caves not far from the town centre. The Caramanico SPA was inaugurated in 1901. testes carried by the University iof Naples revealed very rare properties: Hydrogen sulphide, calcar sals, sulphate and metals in a right combination. This water springs out at 30 degrees in quantity of 260 hectolitres a day from stratified marble calcar. It is used for drinks, baths inhaling , mud baths. About 300 metres from the town a mineral water famous for its very diuretic properties springs out.

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POPOLI

Popoli, the town of waters, is situated at the entrance of “Gole dei tre monti” a deep split separating the last offshoots of the two Abruzzese Massifs, the Majella and the Gran Sasso. The river Pescara flows through this split. Near the town the river Aterno (the larges of Abruzzese rivers) flows into the river Pescara whose springs, not far from the town, are now a natural preserve.

Two more small rivers flow close to the town: Giardino and San Callisto. It is a rather ancient town with interesting monuments like “La Rocca del Cantelmo” recently restored and the “Taverna Vecchia” an interesting example of civil architecture in Abruzzo (1300).

The healing waters of Popoli, together with the waters of Raiano and Corfinio flow into the SPA “Vecchie Terme” open all year long. The waters are used to cure pathologies concerning: arthritis, ear, nose and throat, lungs, skin and gynaecologic problems. Recently 100 seats for inhaling, 12 cabins for mud baths, 4 boxes for vaginal irrigations are available.

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CANISTRO

Canistro (831m a.s.l.), situated in a wonderful landscape of woods and pastures overlooks the Roveto Valley at the spring of the river Liri. The oligo-mineral water from the mountains Verbetta and Bello were used even by the Romans and the spring is called Fiuggino which reminds us the more famous spring not far from Rome. The water from Canistro is very good to cure pathologies concerning the circulatory and nervous system, kidney stones, dermatological problems, gout.

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The pleasure of water
The importance of the healing waters goes back to Greek and Roman times when the Greek God Asclepio and the Roman equivalent Esculapio represented health recovered by using waters. The Christian religion itself in the most famous sanctuaries used waters as a means of purification and recovery. The hermitage sanctuary of St Venanzio in Raiano (AQ) is built over the river Aterno. The believers wet those parts of the body suffering from rheumatism and arthritis. The milkless puerperae too drink water and pray St Agnese, St Scolastuica and St Agata. The women who find difficulty in getting pregnant try to find a solution drinking water when they visit the country church and traditional fountains dedicated to the above mentioned saints. Waters were used by the farmers to prevent the vines from getting the mildew. In 1828 Prof. Covelli, from the University of Naples, made an accurate research about the therapeutic waters of Abruzzo. He rediscovered the healing virtues of “Acqua Ventina” springing from the three hills (Pinne) on which the town of Penne was built. It used to be very famous and only an accurate restoration might make it famous again. Good health is the age long objective of the Abruzzese waters and remarkably in three places: Caramanico, Popoli and Canistro; these are the most famous SPA in Abruzzo.

POPOLI
Popoli, the town of waters, is situated at the entrance of “Gole dei tre monti” a deep split separating the last offshoots of the two Abruzzese Massifs, the Majella and the Gran Sasso. The river Pescara flows through this split. Near the town the river Aterno (the larges of Abruzzese rivers) flows into the river Pescara whose springs, not far from the town, are now a natural preserve. Two more small rivers flow close to the town: Giardino and San Callisto. It is a rather ancient town with interesting monuments like “La Rocca del Cantelmo” recently restored and the “Taverna Vecchia” an interesting example of civil architecture in Abruzzo (1300). The healing waters of Popoli, together with the waters of Raiano and Corfinio flow into the SPA “Vecchie Terme” open all year long. The waters are used to cure pathologies concerning: arthritis, ear, nose and throat, lungs, skin and gynaecologic problems. Recently 100 seats for inhaling, 12 cabins for mud baths, 4 boxes for vaginal irrigations are available.