Grotta Giusti Thermal Spa Resort in Monsummano Terme, Tuscany, reopens this summer with two novelties: it becomes 5 stars and enters the Autograph Collection Hotels of Marriott International, the selection of independent hotels chosen for their soul and their history. The hotel and spa have been completely renovated, with a project curated by the Richmond International studio inspired by poetry and nature, the thermal grotto and Tuscan art.
Everything comes from a discovery
The history of Grotta Giusti begins in 1849 on a hill overlooking the town of Monsummano. Some laborers were working in a lime quarry owned by the Giusti family, the poet’s father. After removing a large boulder, the men discovered the cavity and, throwing stones into it, are convinced that there is water on the bottom. Intrigued, they warn the knight Domenico Giusti. It was decided to expand the access to the cavity and some volunteers descended into the mysterious natural well, waiting for them, a spectacle of nature: stalactites and stalagmites, corridors and underground environments, a small lake of warm water that pervades the entire environment of its vapors.
Loading…
The explorers realize that the steam has induced greater sweating in all of them and in particular one man claims that his health has benefited: the joint pains he suffered from for years seem to have suddenly disappeared. The news of the discovery spreads rapidly and arouses the interest of doctors who study the phenomenon and find significant scientific confirmation of the clinical efficacy of the treatment.
The Giusti family then decided to have some “nursing rooms” built in the place: thus began the construction of the ancient spa which made the stay more comfortable for those who, more and more numerous, asked to be able to stop in the miraculous atmosphere of the cave. . In a short time the fame of the “steam baths” and their surprising results spread and, especially the French and English, began to frequent the Regio Establishment more and more.
In 1867 also Giuseppe Garibaldi noted the effectiveness of the Grotto and thanked the owners by sending them a letter with enthusiastic tones. Thanks to the success of the initiative, in 1880 the Royal Hotel was built where, among others, the Prince of Naples and Giuseppe Verdi, who defined the cave as «the eighth wonder of the world», lived.