It was in the time of ancient Rome that Viterbo’s thermal springs were first used. Viterbo’s water have been famous for thousands of years, so much so that both the Etruscans and Romans used them for both therapeutic and hygienic reason . They were first to understand that health and hygiene were a social value. The steam -room of the caldarium and the themal-pool of the tepidarium became the stage for politics and business. In our days, Viterbo’s thermal system are so advanced that as for psychical and psychological well-being and beauty care, they offer the services of the highest standard. Water is the essential element of life. Due to the geological characteristics of the Viterbo plain, the water have especially salutary effects.

The waters, coming from the Cimini Mountains and traveling through volcanic layers , are rich in minerals. The water penetrates deep into the ground. It flows through porous rock until it reaches impervious layers, Where it change route. Some of the water stops its flow at the depth of 3000m. Here the water warms up. Finally it rises to the surface at the hot springs. The water flows out at a temperature of 87°C.They are used to prepare mud-baths of great therapeutical effect. Its classified as sulphurous – solphate – bicarbonate-alkaline-earth and can therefore be used for various thermal therapies.
The main therapies include:
• Inhalations
• Sonic aerosols
• Bathing
• Hydromassages
• Muds (natural mud cures)
• Vaginal douches
• Grottos
• Entotympanic insufflations
• Cosmetic treatments
• Dermatological cures
• Beauty treatments
• Reumatological, locomotive, otolaryngological and gynaecological illness along with the prevention and cure of periodontal diseeases.
Viterbo’s thermal spring in centuries
In neolothic ages, the habitants of this region might have thought of a mysterious power, of some super natural phenomenon, when they saw the bubbling and smoking water. In medieval and renaissance times they were visited by Popes – Nicolò V ( who believed them to be a true cure-all against old age), noblemen and scholars, etc, among whom the most noted was Dante Alighieri who made a precise reference to Viterbo’s thermal waters in the Divine Commedy, in the Inferno – Canto XII and Inferno- Canto XIV.
Michelangelo Buonarroti also visited the thermal waters of Viterbo and left a sketch for the Terme del “Bacucco”. Today, the waters give the best therapeutic results when they are used in water-therapy, in thermal- pools Or to prepare mud-baths. Many additional services are offered under direct supervision of health-personnel and other specialized professionals, stem-rooms, inhalations, massage, slimming-therapy, water –gymnastic, various sport activities, beauty treatment and special diets.