After the more essential work around the Italian house and land had been done we were able to go out for a morning or for the day revisiting places we haven't been to for a while.
One morning we went to the town of Fiuggi which is a popular health resort with several spas that's well-known for the mineral water that flows from natural springs. We took a short cut by going up to our nearest hill town before descending along winding roads, driving through olive groves, to get to the area beyond our local mountain range.
Fiuggi is divided into two areas, the hill town and the woods of lime, oak and sweet chestnut trees and parkland known as Fiuggi Fonte where one of the important spas is located with its tree-lined avenues, hotels and shops.
The health benefits of drinking Fiuggi water were known even in ancient times and in the 13th century Pope Boniface VIII, who suffered from kidney stones, had large quantities sent to him in Rome. Michelangelo also testified to its curative properties. The source of the spring water initially had to be reached by mule because of the hilly nature of the terrain and it wasn't until the mid 19th century that cobblestones were laid, the fountain built and the spa facilities developed. All that remains of the original complex is the Neoclassical-style portal (above). The open space overlooking the gardens that surrounds the spa was designed in the 1960s and 1970s where there are paths and suspended walkways leading to futuristic mushroom-like platforms. The park has a theatre, open-air sports facilities, playgrounds and hosts open-air concerts.
We've been into the parkland many times with our family so we didn't go in and instead went for a coffee in the main piazza of Fiuggi Fonte and then had a walk along the shopping arcades and avenues. I did some window gazing and admired the hotel architecture.
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| marron glace and pistachio ice-cream |
a postcard from Fiuggi Fonte
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| ..........before heading home. |