The term ‘spa’ is sometimes said to come from an acronym of the Latin phrase ‘sanus per aquam’, meaning ‘health through water’, but while that’s a neat idea, it isn’t true. The Romans usually didn’t even leave spaces between words when they wrote them, so there wasn’t much opportunity for inventing acronyms. It’s what they call a ‘backronym’. The term ‘spa’ actually comes from the name of the Belgian town of Spa, which was already known for its mineral springs in Roman times and which the Romans knew as Aquae Spadanae.
No one really knows why they called it Spadanae, but today there are spas all across Europe – and thermal spas in every region of Italy, each with its own character and medical or wellness offer. Each of the Lombardian spas I visited for this round-up has developed its own speciality. One is a medical centre, others have cosmetic ranges, and another has sold its spring water for 75 years. They all have accommodation for visitors and are located in beautiful settings including woodlands, lakesides or in the hills. In addition to the medical treatments they offer, such spas are also beginning to include fitness and wellness centres.
Terme di Boario
TERME DI BOARIO IS IN THEThe Alpi Orobie (the Bergamo Alps) can be seen in the distance, and the Adamello ski area is 37 miles away. The River Oglio, which runs through the town and valley, comes from nearby Lake Iseo. Boario Terme first became famous as a thermal spa town in the 19th century, when the advent of the railways brought people to the town to try its waters.
