The Oltrepò Pavese abounds with good waters that are used in the modern facilities of some delightful spas, including  Salice Terme and Rivanazzano.  The most famous spa is at Salice Terme, a small town with over 2000 years of history that became famous at the end of the 19^th century when spa, hotels and houses where built.
These buildings still give the place an Art Nouveau atmosphere. The two thermal spas here are among the few in Italy to have received the highest ranking from the Ministry of Health. They make full use of the therapeutic properties of the springs, which have water rich in iodine-bromide-salt and sulphur. For recreation and free time, guests have the use of a vast park filled with age-old trees where a variety of sporting activities can be practised.
Rivanazzano, dominated by the fascinating medieval village of Nazzano, rises on the first irregularity of the Staffora valley in a semi-hilly position only 6km from Voghera. Its waters have been used for therapeutic purposes since the middle of the 19^th century and are ideal for curing myalgia, neuritis, the consequences of rheumatism and trauma, and der matopathy.

Thermal waters and hydro-beauty

Thermal waters are used to prepare high level beauty cosmetic products (hydro-beauty).
The towns of Salice Terme and Rivanazzano are joined by their underground treasure that is formed by groundwater tables that remained after the sea receded from the Po Flatlands.
Our body is made up of more than 70% water and the same is true of the planet earth. Should it be a surprise that it is the remedy most used since ancient times until today?
Galen has been credited with being the first to use water in cosmetics.
His Ceratum Galeni – 20% bees wax, almond oil and 20% rose water – was the first emulsion; previously only oils and anhydrous ointments had been used.
Ceratum represents the base for cosmetic creams and this original formula arrived at the thresholds of 1800 almost intact, with the exception of a small percentage of borax which had been added by an English pharmacist who earned his fortune with it, patenting the composition as cold cream.
In ancient times, people seemed to be very aware of the importance of water. Aqua abluit morbum et perturbationem animi but also: Bibe, si tibi vis senectutem sanam parare, as was wisely said by the Romans, who provided their conquered territories with extremely efficient water systems.
Much was written about the benefits of hydrotherapy by ancient scholars, from Herodotos to Aristotle and Galen. The latter has been credited with having recognized the benefits of hydrotherapy and having been the first to use water in cosmetics.
The properties of thermal waters still maintain today a bit of fascinating mystery whose roots can be found in legends. There is no thermal town that has not been credited with the miraculous healing of emperors, pontiffs, saints and even some deities who found themselves having to reckon with the ailments of us mortals.
The peculiar composition of the natural springs is due to their close relationship with the subsurface that, permeating them with salts, carbonates and other elements, diversifies their chemical composition.
The effectiveness and advantages of thermal treatments in preventing and curing illnesses, in rehabilitation and in recovering overall physical and psychological wellness are fully recognized today.
The almost magical powers of water in returning health, vitality and beauty to your body were already glorified in Etruscan and Roman times.

In the Oltrepò region, sulfurous springs can be found that are among those richest in hydrogen sulphide in Italy, which is specifically used for treating and for the well-being of the respiratory and cutaneous system as well as bromide and iodide salt rich springs that are ideal for preparing highly mineralized natural muds.
The use of this water, under various forms that we define as thermal treatments, induces very positive effects in various organs, rebalancing all functions in the human body.
The thermal waters that flow in Oltrepò Pavese have specific and unique characteristics that make them particularly suitable for rehabilitating the “man machine”.
The thermal waters are extremely rich in active mineral substances that have specific properties used to treat and prevent many illnesses.

Waters rich in bromide and iodide salts, components of extremely fine and homogenous muds, have therapeutic powers that are surprising with regard to their effectiveness and their lasting result over time. There are numerous possibilities to take care of your health in a natural way thanks to Thermal waters.

The beneficial effects of thermal treatments can be seen in the psycho-physical preparation of athletes.
Services provided by a dietician are an optimal support to the therapeutic actions provided by the spa treatments.
Thermal waters are used to prepare high level beauty cosmetic products.
The towns of Salice Terme and Rivanazzano are joined by their underground treasure.
Through its sulphurous and bromide and iodine rich waters, the territory shows its benevolence by providing the possibility to take care of yourself, or better still, prevent problems. A spa treatment, effective and basically free of contraindications, is the natural therapy to be suggested in order to curb pharmacological abuse and satisfy our increasing attention to quality of life, living healthy and naturally.

Sottoporsi ad un periodo di cura termale significa dedicare più attenzione a sè stessi.

E’ possibile passeggiare nel verde ed avvicinarsi a uno sport, restando vicino alle Terme: piscine, campi da tennis, da calcio, percorsi escursionistici per mountain bike e cicloturismo, bocciodromo, campo da golf, pesca nei torrenti, equitazione, galoppatoio, maneggio e scuola ippica sono a disposizione dei visitatori.