Abano Thermes
TERME EUGANEE - ABANO STORY - ABANO TODAY - MONTEGROTTO
SAN DANIELE MONASTERY - DI PRAGLIA ABBEY - HOW TO GET THERE - THE HOTELS
COLLI EUGANEI
On October, 10, 1989, in according with a Regional Law, The Regional Park of Euganean Hills was founded covering an area of around 18 thousand square hectares and 15 villages with a population of 44,000 inhabitants. The Park was formed to protecting all of it, as well, as to promote the traditional activities of the area. These activities must be compatible with the protection of its enviroment, history, culture and its traditions In such a small space you will see medieval fortresses, fine Venetian villas, historical gardens, monasteries, even if the most important source of the Euganean Hills is the natural landscape.
The Euganean Hills, of volcanic origin, with the sequence of many hills of varying heights and shapes creates a particular landscape. Here we can find numerous types of vegetation: alpine mountain flora like beech and blackcurrants, from the typical Mediterranean shrublands to chestnut groves and mixed oak woods. Among the protected fauna like the fox, the badger, the weasel and the stone marten, one can admire a wide variety of reptiles, amphibious and in particular birds. At the centre of the Euganean Hills we found the magnificent hamlet of Arquà Petrarca, by the name of the famous poet Francesco Petrarca who spent the last yers of his life there. The 'Parco Regionale dei Colli Euganei' has created a special wide range of paths and routes that can reveal the artistic and naturalistic treasures of this area.
The Terme Euganee Spas are wellknown both in Italy and in Europe for their hyperthermal mineral waters.
The spa waters of the Euganean basin start their journey in the subsoil , in the foothills of the Alps:
during their long journey the underwater streams are enriched with particularly beneficial mineral
(including sodium potassium magnesium and iodine ) and it is heated so that it reaches the surface at
a temperature of 87° C. These waters, containing bromide and iodide 
salts, are mixed with thermal
clay to create a mud. The
Mud, to have the specific characteristic that does it an appreciated therapeutic
instrument, needs a slow and complex process of biological maturation. In its numerous hotels (over 100),
all with their own thermal baths, any treatment is made under medical control.Thermal muds can be used
advantageously in the treatment of various osteoarticular pathologies and of the metabolic osteoarticulations
problems.Thermal inhalation treatments are used to treat chronic respiratory tact pathologies 
(chronic
bronchitis) and to prevent other types of disorders from becoming acute. Other treatments offered by
the thermal baths are the hydromassages, massotherapy, kinesitherapy and for a prompt rehabilitation
the hydrokinesitherapy. The Euganean Hills are also most inviting for those who wish to keep in shape or enjoy sports. In fact,
this context lends itself to numerous activities. For example, Golf, tennis, riding, trekking routes.
Thanks to the modern, accomodating 
bath establisments, you can regain your vigour relax and achive that
lost sense of 
well-being.
Abano Terme stands at the foot of the Euganean Hills, originated from the volcanic activity
about 34 million years ago. The presence of hyperthermal springs is the peculiar characteristic
of this territory. Even the ancient Romans since the ninth century had frequented the thermal springs.
They already knew the therapeutic
properties of the water and the mud baths, this is demonstrated by
the kind of offerings th
at have been found, little pots, various items made of bronze, statues etc.
all offered to the local divinity - the God Aponus, to give thanks for the health cures that they had
received. After an obscure period, at the end of 11th century was erected the Benedectine Monastery
on the Saint Daniel hill, its religious community gave a great help to drain the territory and improve
the fields. During the 12th Century Abano was dominated by the Religious Authority of Padua.
The Bishop nominated Manfredo Conti, lord of this territory. During the period between 15th and 18th
century two noble families from Venice came to Abano and built two magnificent villas, and drained
the rest of the territory of Abano. The Venetian influence is evident in the Sanctuary of Monteortone,
erected in 1428 after the apparition of the Vergin Mary announcing the end of the pestilence.
During the Enlightenment period, after such marked progress in medical science, the properties
of the muds were studied to understand and increase their effectiveness. Near Montirone were built many
thermal baths and an oratory for people with disease. Today Abano has rediscovered its splendour;
each hotel offers natural mud therapy in a restful and relaxing atmosphere.The city that today has
developed along the Viale delle Terme, the main road that links the historical part of the city with
the thermal zone. The well-known properties of its thermal springs have contributed to enrich the
economical
The Cathedral of San Lorenzo is located in the historic centre of Abano Terme
Particularly interesting is its bell tower whose lower section dates back to the year 971. Next door to the Cathedral in Piazza del Sole e della Pace is an imposing horizontal sundial that covers an area of 300 square metres. In the centre there is an elegant pedestrian precinct in which stand some of the principal hotels, the most exclusive shops and the public gardens. Only a short distance away are Abano Terme's most ancient thermal springs: the springs of Montirone.
The park's entrance portal, which contains the ancient bath tubs, is framed by a Corinthian colonnade. Nearby one can find the Pinacoteca and the Municipal Art Gallery. Located at Monteortone, not far from the centre, is the 15th Century Sanctuary of the Madonna della Salute. Inside the sanctuary are the beautiful frescos of Jacopo da Montagnana and its school.
This town was called San Pietro Montagnon until 1934, the actual name is due to the latin name
Mons Aegrotorum, that is hill of the illness. Togheter with Abano Terme making up a large spa complex.
Montegrotto presents the Roman excavations where one can visit the main archeological area in tyhe
Euganean Hills with baths and channels that date back
to Republican and Augustan times. Nearby there
is the very interesting House of Butterflies, which hosts about 500 multicoloured specimens from all
continents. Montegrotto hosts also the fairywood: a mythological garden that reminds the ancient
legends about druids fairies and gnomes coming from Celtic and Italic culture.
In the neighbourhood:
Founded in 11th century, is dedicated to the paduan
martyr Daniel. Under the rule of the
Benedictine Monks, was closed by the Republic of Venice in 15th century. The monastery returned
to its original function with the presence of nuns, in the middle of the last century when it was
destined to provide accomodation for the strangers.Worth a sight the Church of the monastery with
its high altar representing the martyrdom of Saint Daniel and its wooden choir attributed to Palma
the Youth. Very beautiful is also the cloister.
One of the most important gems of the religious
settlements. Erected from 11th to 12th century
on an area coverd by meadows wich originated its name:(in italian prati > praglia).
This monastery encloses many areas including four cloisters, the oldest core is the Romanesque
bell tower. At the end of the Serenissima Republic, was injured by Napoleonic raids, suffering
many thefts of artistic goods. It was closed in 1810 but the Benedictine Monks acquired it again
in 1904 at a public auction.Actually hosts a National Library, a centre of congress and a beautiful
herbalist’s shop where the products of the monastery are sold.
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