Castel San Pietro Terme

Castel San Pietro Terme, where you can enjoy the healing thermal waters

Castel San Pietro Terme is located right on the border between Emilia and Romagna and is known for its thermal baths, as well as for an 18-hole golf course.

This historical centre is part of the Cittaslow circuit, and here it is pleasant to stroll through the alleys and stop to sample the local specialities.

The ancient thermal baths of Castel San Pietro

The thermal baths here have been harnessed for their properties since 1137, even though the first thermal spa was only built in 1870.

Enjoy wellness treatments, relaxing massages or simple immersions in the salso-bromo-iodine thermal waters of Fonte Fegatella, for absolute relaxation just a stone's throw from Bologna.

A tour of Castel San Pietro

The village is unmissable, no matter which time of year you choose to visit. From afar you can already see the Cassero—the symbol of the town—a defensive bastion that today houses the municipal theatre. Go through the arch and lose yourself in the cobbled alleyways, strolling under the porticoes that will lead you to Piazza XX Settembre.

The square is the beating heart of the city and plays host to art installations and markets. At Christmas time, for example, nativity scenes and illuminated decorations create a fairy-tale atmosphere.

It faces the Palazzo Comunale and the Sanctuary of the Crucifix. Take via Castelfidardo to see the remains of the city walls.

Be sure to visit the crypt of the Church of San Lorenzo di Varignana, where there are traces of cults dating back to Roman times.

The Garden of Angels

Dedicated to a young citizen who died prematurely, this little corner of verdant paradise is now a celebration of life. If you visit it in the spring, you will be dazzled by the quantity of flowers, although the park is tended all year round.

Dining in Castel San Pietro

Dining in Emilia Romagna means a feast for the eyes, palate and sense of smell all at once. Here, as in the rest of the region, fresh pasta dominates the table. You should also try the area's cured meats and cheeses, accompanied of course by the not-to-be-missed crescentina fritta (fried dough).

It is here that the National Honey Observatory is based, and in the surrounding hills, in the Sillaro valley, there are vineyards that produce delicious wines. Not far away, in Varignana, an excellent extra virgin olive oil is produced.

Nature trails

After a morning at the thermal baths and an afternoon strolling through the alleyways of the historic centre, why not opt for an itinerary through the countryside? Around Castel San Pietro, the natural environment is lush.

The Lungo Sillaro Park is just a short walk from the town, with its river running between centuries-old trees. There are also numerous cycling trails.

A round of golf

The Golf Club Le Fonti offers an ideal outdoor experience for those who enjoy the gentle undulations of the hills but also the excitement of a competition. Golf is the perfect sport for combining both passions.

The brand new 18-hole golf course makes it possible to enjoy a slightly different afternoon on the green.

Festivals and fairs

Castel San Pietro is part of the Cittaslow (Slow Cities), which in spring celebrate the local produce and excellent food and wine that Italy has to offer. But it also hosts festivals and village fairs that will whet your appetite, such as the Sagra della Braciola held during the Settembre Castellano, when the Carrera, a car race for push cars, is also held.

Finally, every last Sunday of the month, with the exception of the Christmas period and a summer break, an antiques market is staged in the streets of the centre.

A stroll around Dozza

A 15-minute drive from Castel San Pietro Terme is the mediaeval town of Dozza, which is well worth a visit.

Included among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, and with a historic centre full of history to be discovered step by step, you will feel as though you are walking through an open-air museum, starting with the Rocca Sforzesca. Its alleyways are also adorned with many murals.