Home to one of Italy’s most famous mineral water brands, San Pellegrino Terme boasts a magnificent setting in northern Italy’s Brembana Valley. After its thermal baths were built in the mid-19th century, it transformed from a small riverside village into a holiday resort for wealthy jet setters. San Pellegrino Terme is particularly renowned for its Liberty-style architecture.
Things to do in San Pellegrino Terme
One of the town’s most beautiful buildings is the Casino Municipale di San Pellegrino Terme, which was built in an Art Nouveau style during the early 20th century. It is opulently decorated with Carrara and Verona marble and features two terracotta busts by Mario Bernasconi. Exhibitions and concerts are regularly held in its lavish hall. A short stroll away is the Liberty-style building of Acqua San Pellegrino with its fountain spring.
Connecting to the hamlet of Vetta is a historic funicular, which first opened to passengers in 1909. From the top, there are panoramic views across San Pellegrino Terme and the forested slopes of Bergamo. Admire the arched facade of the Chiesa della Madonna Assunta alla Vetta and visit the charming Cappella della Madrera with its frescoed interior.
Nearby is the Grotte Del Sogno, a historic show cave that has been visited since San Pellegrino Terme’s heyday as a spa town. Join a guided tour to admire its cave formations while learning about its storied past. Sweeping panoramas are on offer from the “Panchina Gigante”, a massive blue-and-white bench overlooking the Brembana Valley.
Getting around San Pellegrino Terme
San Pellegrino Terme is around 30 minutes’ drive from Bergamo and Orio al Serio International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Regular buses connect to San Pellegrino Terme and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.