Little Fiuggi might have stayed as a provincial backwater, some 90km south east of Rome, had Pope Boniface VIII not stopped off at Anticoli di Campagna to take the waters some time in the 14th century. He pronounced his kidney stones cured by the water from the Fiuggi spring, as did Michelangelo a couple of centuries later. The great sculptor described his ailment as 'the only kind of stone I couldn't love', so we can add 'comedian' to the Renaissance man's myriad other skills. Soon, Fiuggi water was being sent around Europe, and Anticoli was renamed after the spring.
This is a lovely place, the classic Italian hill town, not least because the old city is upon the hill (Fiuggi Citta), with the 'new' town and spa down below (Fiuggi Fonte). It's rich, as Italian spa towns tend to be, drawing money from all over the world, and the architecture is a pleasing mix of the medieval, Renaissance and Liberty styles. There are good shops and excellent restaurants. Historic must-sees include the little church of Santa Maria del Colle, and the 17th century reconstruction of the Church of San Biagio. The former Grand Hotel is now the town theatre; there is the opulent Palazzo Falconi in the heart of town, and the cast iron fountain in Piazza Piave. It was built to celebrate the arrival of running water in the town - which ironically didn't occur till 1907, after the railways!
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Fiuggi hotels.
