Terme dei Papi: Viterbo's Papal Hot Springs

Terme dei Papi, located in Viterbo, has been a renowned spa since Roman times. The name comes from the fact that Pope Nicholas V loved the thermal waters so much that he had a building constructed there in 1450, which was called Bagno del Papa. The location became a retreat for future pontiffs. Viterbo itself is known as the “City of the Popes”. The spa's waters originate from the Bullicame spring, maintaining a consistent temperature of 58°C (136°F). Rich in sulfur, calcium, and magnesium, these waters are believed to offer various health benefits, treating skin, respiratory, and musculoskeletal conditions. Visitors can enjoy the large monumental thermal pool (over 2000 sqm), experience a natural Turkish bath in a cave where thermal water cascades at 58°C, or opt for mud-balneotherapy. In 1989, Socrate Sensi, a businessman, began renovating and modernizing the municipal Spa, opening it to the public in 1993. Today, Terme dei Papi continues to be managed by Sensi's descendants.