Cover Discover Italian Spas

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book € 12,00
e-book € 8,49
Formato:  Kindle , ePub
series "Ritrovare l'Italia"
pp. 152, Brossura, 978-88-15-25205-0
publication year 2014

ANNUNZIATA BERRINO

Discover Italian Spas

Did you know that - long before they built great buildings accommodating spas, the remains of which we still admire today - ancient Romans had bathrooms in their homes? They were initially supplied only with cold water, but soon the water was heated and increasingly used for supplementary purposes: saunas, massages, and general relaxation. Did you know that advances in modern chemistry pioneered by the University of Bologna were crucial in identifying the composition of mineral water and developing the science of hydrology? Since ancient times water has been associated with major symbolic and cultural meanings. Springs continue to be linked with health pilgrimages and worship of holy or godly figures. To an even greater degree than in the past, staying at a spa is a typical way to pursue mental and spiritual well-being. The author accompanies the reader along an itinerary that blends the sacred and the profane and includes destination such as the Baths of Caracalla, Bagni di Lucca, Salsomaggiore, and Ischia's thermal parks.

This book is part of a new series hosting distinguished authors who transform Italian travel itineraries into passageways full of meaning. A visit to a museum, a historic city, or a natural park should not be a mere review of masterpieces or monuments, but rather a historically and culturally harmonious journey, or better yet a set of potentially parallel voyages, giving substance to stones, meaning to maps, colour to the past. Readers will feel like main characters participating in Italy's long history.

Annunziata Berrino teaches Contemporary History at the Federico II University in Naples.

Premessa
1. Roma, terme di Caracalla: al bagno con Venere
2. San Giuliano Terme: le terme degli illuministi
3. Bagni di Lucca: i bagni dei romantici
4. Acqui Terme: sei fango e col fango guarirai
5. Merano: prima prove di olismo
6. Salsomaggiore Terme: guanti, ombrellini e cappelli piumati
7. Castellammare di Stabia: qui un dì l'Europa tutta verrà
8. Sambiase: una dinastia di termalisti
9. Santa Cesarea Terme: la fetida caverna
10. Lipari: il caldo più antico del Mediterraneo
11. Ischia: e le terme tornano nella natura
Nota bibliografica
Indice dei luoghi

See also

copertina Discover Arab Italy
copertina Discover Etruscan Italy
copertina Discover Greek Sicily
copertina Discover Jewish Ghettoes and Quarters in Italy