Abano Terme is an ancient town. Though, with its opulent modern hotels, each with neatly manicured gardens and spa facilities, you wouldn't know it from first appearances. The Romans knew it as Aquae Patavinae or Aponi Fons, and came here to take the waters, but the invading Lombards laid waste to town and baths, which weren't rebuilt until the 12th century, when Abano became a comune. Today, the healing waters are the main draw, with hot springs bubbling from the rocky slopes of the Colli Euganei at some 80 degrees Centigrade. There are mud baths too.
Abano, known till the 1930s as 'Abano Bagni' is a quiet place, its hotels nestling amid the trees, with the slopes of the Colli Euganei as a backdrop. This is wine growing country too, with the Strada del Vino dei Colli Euganei winding around the hills. There is good walking and climbing, and medieval castles hide amongst the wooded slopes. Meanwhile, hiring a bicycle is a good way to see the town itself. Abano, let's be honest, is not a buzzing town, but then one comes here to relax. During the summer though there is a series of concerts and sometimes opera, as well as the Abano Danza dance festival.
Should you have enough of simply resting and being cured by the healing waters, there are historic sights to see. The Duomo (cathedral) of San Lorenzo dates from 1780, and is on the site of an earlier church destroyed by Verona ruler Cangrande della Scala as he laid waste to much of northern Italy in the early 14th century; the belltower retains elements from the 9th and 10th centuries. There is the Montirone Gallery, with works by Guido Reni, Tiepolo, Il Moretto and others. The Sanctuary della Madonna della Salute was begun in 1428 on the site of a miracle, where Mary healed the wounds of one Pietro Falco. The church has a fine Baroque portal and a belltower, and frescoes by Jacopo da Montagnana. There is a town art gallery too, the Pinacoteca.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Abano Terme hotels.
