Salsomaggiore Terme is not only a city of water, but a place where Art Nouveau architecture, historic gardens and green landscapes coexist harmoniously. Among elegant tree-lined avenues, ornamental ponds and Art Deco details, the town retains the refined atmosphere of its 20th-century spa tradition.
This itinerary passes through some of Salsomaggiore's most evocative places: from the Palazzo dei Congressi to the large urban parks, to the Gavinell Botanical Garden, on the first hills surrounding the city.
A route suitable for everyone, ideal to experience on foot at a leisurely pace, alternating nature, art and glimpses of timeless charm.
Tip
From spring to autumn, each season offers different colors and atmospheres:
Useful info
The route is mostly in a flat area, with slight inclines, and does not require technical clothing.
The itinerary starts in the heart of Art Nouveau Salsomaggiore, among century-old trees and the scenic facade of the Palazzo dei Congressi, formerly the Grand Hôtel des Thermes decorated by Galileo Chini.
Tips
Recently restored to its former glory, this park is a must-see for those who love contrasts.
Must-see
The most iconic place that captivates every passerby is The Witch of Marzaroli. Cristoforo Marzaroli's bronze sculpture is one of the park's most recognizable symbols, whose posture, expression, and lines of drapery still enchant passersby.
Curiosity
Pieces of Thermal Archaeology are also found in the park: nestled among meticulously manicured flowerbeds are the cages of the salsoiodic water wells, guardians of the liquid gold that made the city famous.
Designed in 1912 by landscape architect Giulio Roda, Mazzini Park is one of the landmarks of Salsomaggiore Terme. Among geometric flowerbeds, monumental trees and water features, the park still retains the elegance of the great spa gardens of the early 20th century.
Must-sees
The park's flowerbeds also include a bust dedicated to Giuseppe Mazzini and statues of the Nymphs of Abundance, symbols of the fertility and wealth of the area.
Finally, within the park is the Garden of Remembrance, a space dedicated to the victims of Covid-19 designed as a place of recollection and reflection surrounded by greenery.
About three kilometers from the center of Salsomaggiore Terme is the Gavinell Botanical Garden, a green oasis dedicated to aromatic and medicinal plants.
The garden is home to more than 450 botanical species, including native varieties, rare essences and plants with healing properties, divided into families. Prominent among the most characteristic presences is the native White Lavender, cultivated exclusively in this area of the Salish hills.
Also located within the estate is the Hortus Conclusus, a reconstruction inspired by medieval monastery gardens, places dedicated to meditation, the cultivation of herbs and the study of their beneficial properties. Completing the landscape is the large olive grove, evidence of an agricultural tradition present in the hills of Salsomaggiore since the Middle Ages.
Amid scents of lavender, medicinal herbs and hilly landscapes, the Gavinell Botanical Garden is an ideal stop to discover the more natural side of Salsomaggiore Terme.
To know
The farm also has an herbalist shop and an olfattoteca, where you can learn about essences and oils obtained from the plants grown in the garden.
