Bagno di Romagna, the village famous for its thermal waters

Bagno di Romagna, nestled in the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines, is renowned for its thermal waters, already known to the Romans, from which it takes its Latin name balneum. Its millenary history shows human presence since the Bronze Age, with significant development during Roman and medieval times. The village preserves traces of the Camaldolese monks, the Guidi counts, and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, who enhanced its baths and trade. A strategic point between central Italy and the Po Valley, Bagno di Romagna witnessed crucial historical events, from the raids of the Landsknechts to the Resistance during World War II. Today it is a destination for thermal tourism and nature, immersed in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park.

What to see in the village 

At the heart of Bagno di Romagna rises the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, documented as early as 861 AD, a single-nave church with seven chapels on each side, a treasure chest of precious artistic works of Tuscan Romagna. Not far away stands the Palazzo del Capitano, with its façade decorated with more than 70 coats of arms, a memory of the Florentine Captains; today it houses the tourist office, the National Park Visitor Center, the library, and the historical archive. Just outside the village, the Fonte del Chiardovo offers cold thermal water with beneficial properties for mild gastrointestinal disorders. On the hill of Corzano, one can admire the remains of the castle and the elegant hermitage, also reachable on foot along the medieval mule track enriched by the bronze Via Crucis by artist Carmelo Puzzolo, identical to the one in Medjugorje.

Events in the village

 Bagno di Romagna offers a rich calendar of events throughout the year. The Giorni del Capitano (last weekend of July) reenact the period when the Medici family sent their Captain, with parades in costume, shows, flag-throwers, and falconers. The first weekend of August, Termae Romanae celebrates the Roman origins of the baths, with guides in costume and entertainment along the historic streets. In October, autumn festivals in the hamlets of Selvapiana, Acquapartita, and in the village itself offer the flavors of the undergrowth, while the Fall Foliage Festival (penultimate weekend) transforms the forests into a wonderful mosaic of colors. Finally, in May–June, the preview of the International Street Food Festival brings flavors from around the world, from Argentina to Japan, alongside local specialties.

What to see in the surroundings

 The surroundings of Bagno di Romagna offer unique itineraries of nature and history. The Foreste Casentinesi National Park provides walks among centuries-old woods, waterfalls, and wildlife. On the hill of Corzano, the remains of the castle and the hermitage can be admired, reachable on foot along the medieval mule track with the bronze Via Crucis. Not to be missed is the Sasso Fratino Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ideal for trekking in pristine greenery. Nearby villages, such as San Piero in Bagno and other historic hamlets, offer medieval glimpses, ancient parish churches, and local gastronomic traditions, for an authentic experience of history and nature.

photo credits Claudio Giovanni Colombo