Porretta Terme - December 17, 2011

PORRETTA TERME


My third stop on this tour of the hot spring pools of Tuscany brings me to Porretta Terme. Porretta Terme is actually in the province of Bologna, which is part of the region of Emilia Romagna, but just by a few meters, so I'll include it in my list of hot spring pools in Tuscany.

Porretta Terme

Once again I find that hot spring pools differ greatly from one to another, and that is why I'm doing this tour, so that I can do the "inspection", describe the pool, and you can decide which is the best for you.
Porretta Terme is in the mountains between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna, and is easily reached on the SS64 highway from both Florence and Bologna. There is also a train station in town; it's a pleasant ten minute walk to the pool, along the Reno River.
The building where the thermal baths are located is a depressing 1970's structure, badly in need of some remodelling. It has obviously be given little care in the past few years. However, I understand that the property has changed hands, and some work is being done. For now, it looks like this:

Entrance to the spa

The Building

Inside the building is quite nice. At the reception you pay your entrance fee (14.50 euros the day we went) and then are told that you must have an interview with a doctor before you enter the pool. My my - that was a first! The doctor asks you if you have any medical problems, take any medication, and takes your blood pressure. A quick and pleasant visit, so I figure that with the entrance fee you get a free blood pressure measurement... not bad.

You then go back to the reception, get your ticket, and go downstairs to the pool area where you give the ticket to a lifeguard. He explains the pool layout to you and shows you to the changing rooms where there are lockers and showers.



The pool is indoors, a good size, with various depths. There are jets along one wall which are fantastic for massaging shoulders and back. There are lots of floatation devices around, and  people like to float around, relaxing in the warm water. There are also vascular treatment pools where you walk first in warm water then in cold water on smooth river stones. In addition, there is a very nice Finnish sauna. There are deck chairs distributed on the deck for resting between baths.

The temperature of the water in the pool is a warm 36°C/96.8°F, and the room is kept at 31°C/87°F. The water contains salt, bromine, and iodine. The lifeguard told me that it is similar to sea water. They treat this pool with clorine.

This is a popular ski area, near the slopes of Corno alle Scale. I imagine that it would be super to soak yourself in this pool after a day on the slopes!

Terme di Porretta

Hotel delle Acque & Natural SPA 
Via Roma 5 
40046 Porretta Terme (BO)
Tel   0534/22062