Termini Imerese

Let’s explore Termini Imerese near Palermo.

The hot springs of Sicily are very old. They date back to Thermae’s founding in 407 BC by the Carthaginians. It was built on top of a hill that overlooks the stunning Gulf. Later, Thermae was a Roman colony. The Romans expanded it around the walled fortress to make it a prosperous and large city with a great spa. Legend has it that Hercules relied on the Thermae Himerenses for his health.

On the remains of an earlier spa, the current spa was constructed in the 17th century. The Grand Hotel was annexed in the nineteenth century to the spa. It was designed by Damiani Almejda in a neoclassical style. It was an important interest to the Palermo nobility and upper classes. In the nineteenth century, it was also the headquarters for Ignazio Florio, the Targa Florio, during the famous race on the Madonie.

Water has always played an important role in this area, as shown by the old Roman aqueduct Cornelio. Hyper volcanic springs flow at a temperature close to 43 degrees C.

These waters offer many benefits, including bathing, mud baths, mineral water cures and natural stoves. They are also great for massage therapy, hydrotherapy and vaginal douches.

Let’s go to the charming town after we have finished our bath.

Termini has a long history. It was established by survivors of the Battle of Himera. The remains of this battle were destroyed by the Carthaginians. They are located in the Archaeological Park. The Cathedral St. Nicola di Bari is a 17th-century structure. Also, you can visit the Villa Comunale which contains the remains of the Roman Curia. You also have the Roman amphitheater and the streets and alleyways of the historic Rocchicelle neighborhood. The Civic Museum contains Roman remains, mosaics and imperial portraits. It also has lion heads made from the tuff of Temple of Victory of Himera.