Emilia-Romagna’s thermal spas in 20th-century posters

Castrocaro (Forlì-Cesena), 1953

The modern history of thermal spas in Italy dates back to the mid-1800s, when “ludic thermalism” became fashionable, especially amongst aristocrats who wanted to spend their summer holidays at hydrotherapy resorts. Emilia-Romagna, one of the country’s leading regions in terms of springs, became the subject of a range of advertisement posters at the time.

Then, Italian thermal spas constantly developed after the early 1900s, as their health services became increasingly relevant.

Castrocaro, Porretta, Riolo, Salsomaggiore, Sant’Andrea Bagni… welcome to Emilia-Romagna’s 20th-century thermal spas!

Marcello Dudovich, Porretta Terme (Bologna), 1901

Porretta Terme (Bologna), ca. 1900

Porretta Terme (Bologna), 1938

Emidio Adriani, Porretta Terme (Bologna), 1951

Riolo Terme (Ravenna), 1950s

Salsomaggiore Terme (Parma), ca. 1900

Galileo Chini, Salsomaggiore Terme (Parma), 1923

Virglio Retrosi, Salsomaggiore Terme (Parma), 1930s

Salsomaggiore Terme (Parma), 1927

Emidio Adriani, Salsomaggiore Terme (Parma), 1948

Erberto Carboni, Sant'Andrea Bagni (Parma), 1924