The charming spa town of
Bagni di Lucca, nestled in the Garfagnana valley, rises
along the river Lima. It has been known for
it's thermal springs since the Etruscan and Roman times. Bagni di Lucca is comprised of several of separate
villages, known as early as the 10th century as the
"Baths of Corsena", with springs containing salt and
sulphur with temperatures ranging from 37-54 °C/99-129
°F. The principal village is Villa, once a residence of
the dukes of Lucca, with its own thermal spring. The
village of Bagni Caldi is the most important spa, with a
warm spring and the "Doccione" (54 °C/129 °F), in a
cave. The principal thermal baths are in the part
of the town known as Bagni Caldi. There are also
waterfalls within walking distance where you can
bath.Bagni di Lucca's thermal baths have the only
natural steam room in Italy with the steam seeping
through the walls of rock.
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Some Historical Background on Bagni di Lucca
 Bagni di Lucca is 28.6 kilometers (about 18 miles) North
of Lucca.
First mentioned in local historical documents in 983
with a reference to a donation of the territory of Bagni
di Lucca to Fraolmo of Corvaresi by the Bishop
Teudogrimo.
Originally known as Bagno a Corsena the bustling spa
resort town changed it's name in 1862 to Bagni di Lucca
coming from the Latin word "Balneum" meaning "bath" for
the many thermal springs surrounding the area.
In 1245 the Emperor Frederick II set out to visit it
with all his court, while in 1304 the inhabitants of the
Spa were exempted from military service so the thermal
springs made Bagno a Corsena a European resort and it
was christened "The ltalian Switzerland".
 Poets,
artists and nobility such as Michel de Montaigne,
Ippolito d'Este, Vittorio Alfieri, Ferdinand II, Grand
Duke of Tuscany, Paolina Borghese, Elisa Baciocchi, the
sister of Napoleon, Metternich, Field Marshall Radestsky,
Shelley, Byron, the Brownings, Strauss, Listz,
Montesquieu, Puccini, Montale and Toscanini were all
found here, taking the waters. In the 18th and 19th
centuries there were particularly strong ties with
England and Bagni di Lucca was an essential stop on the
"Grand Tour".
The local economy is mainly derived from tourism so
there are several fine hotels and accommodations in Bagni
di Lucca as well as wonderful restaurants.
Among some of the more interesting sites to visit in
Bagni di Lucca are the Casino, the Villa Fiori, the
Foreigner's Club, the Academic Theatre, the Villa Ada,
the Town Hall, the Villa Buonvisi and the Thermal Baths.
If you are visiting in Tuscany during the last
Saturday in June you won't want to miss the traditional
"Medieval Feast" held in the nearby district of Casoli.
Enjoy local Tuscan food, wines and be entertained by
jugglers, acrobats and minstrels.
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