Salsomaggiore Terme

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Salsomaggiore-Stemma.gif
official_name = Comune di Salsomaggiore Terme
region = Emilia-Romagna
province = Parma (PR)
elevation_m = 157
area_total_km2 = 81
population_as_of =
population_total = 17875
population_density_km2 = 221
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|44|49|N|09|59|E
frazioni = See list
telephone = 0524
postalcode = 43039
gentilic = Salsési
saint = San Vitale
day = April 28
mayor = Massimo Tedeschi (since may 30, 2006)
website = [http://www.comune.salsomaggiore-terme.pr.it/ www.comune.salsomaggiore-terme.pr.it]

Salsomaggiore Terme is a town in northern Italy. It is located in the province of Parma, in the Emilia-Romagna region.

Due to its sodium content, the mineral water of Salsomaggiore belongs to the group of salty waters, a bromo-iodine-salt variety. A hypertonic and cold water extracted from artesian wells, 800 to 1,200 metres deep, at a temperature of 16°C and at a density of 16° on the Baumé scale (1 degree Baumé is equivalent to approximately 11 grams of salt per litre). Due to the therapeutic properties of the water, people come from far and wide to rid themselves of bronchial and gastric problems.

Salsomaggiore is also the place where every September the Miss Italy beauty pageant takes place.

Salsomaggiore Terme, is a village of Emilia Romagna, Italy, in the province of Parma, 6 m. S.W. of Borgo San Donnino by steam tramway. Pop. ( [2006] )17900 (village); 19500(commune). It is situated 525 ft. above sea-level at the foot of the Apennines, and is a popular watering-place, the baths being especially frequented. The water is strongly saline. The main focus of the town lies in its baths, notably in the "terme" situated in the centre of the town (Pictured).The main attraction is of course the terme, but once a year the finals of "Miss Italia" are held there, and the normally quiet streets are lined with sports cars.

Since 2007 Salsomaggiore is home of a European Festival called [http://www.incontrarsiasalsomaggiore.org/ Incontrarsi a Salsomaggiore] , a celebration of art, music and theater dedicated to women and their health.

Notable attractions of this town are the central piazza with its clothing shops, the main centre of the town with a gelateria that is renowned throughout the area and the countryside surrounding this valley town.

In the surrounding countryside there are many small villages or "frazione" including Cangelasio, Costa and Alto.There are two smaller towns situated nearby, Salsominore and Tabiano, both with their own versions of Salsomaggiore's Terme.

History

It was during the Duchy of Marie Louise of Austria that Salsomaggiore started to change and people understood the importance of the natural treasure of the town, useful for therapeutic purposes. Salsomaggiore then became one of the most famous and celebrated watering places in Europe.

Notable people

Lorenzo Berzieri, a doctor from Salsomaggiore, was the first person to successfully determine through experiment the therapeutic qualities of the bromo-iodine salt water, which was known and used in pre-Roman times for the extraction of salt.

Fractions

Bargone, Cangelasio, Ceriati, Contignaco-Cella, Costa, Costamarenga, Fornacchia, Gorzano, I Passeri, Longone-Colombaia, Montauro, Pie' di Via, Pieve di Cusignano, Rossi, Salsominore, San Vittore, Scipione Castello, Scipione Ponte, Tabiano Bagni, Tabiano Castello, Tosini, Vascelli.

Twin cities

*flagicon|Cuba - La Habana, Cuba
*flagicon|France - Luxeuil les Bains, France
*flagicon|Thailand - Bangkok, Thailand
*flagicon|Tunisia - Hammam-Lif, Tunisia

External links and references

* [http://www.comune.salsomaggiore-terme.pr.it/turismo/pages/home_eng.asp?Lang=eng&IDPortale=2 Salsomaggiore's official tourism website]
* [http://www.incontrarsiasalsomaggiore.org/ Salsomaggiore's official Cultural Festival]