Only 32 kilometres from Parma, in the heart of the famous "lower padana", you will find Salsomaggiore Terme. The fame of this Italian thermal spa has stepped beyond the borders of the country.

In the first half of the 1800's, medical officer Lorenzo Berzieri sensed the extraordinary curative properties of the waters that were gurgling out from underground.

Owing to the interest from the Ducal Government, led by Maria Luigia d'Austria, Salsomaggiore became one of the "great" European destinations, a place where sovereigns, princes, politicians, literary people and protagonists of the "bel mondo" went to be rested and healed.

The distinguishing feature of these thermal waters is their "iodine bromide" composition: rare and unspoilt, they register a density of salts five times superior to that of the Mediterranean Sea. Every litre contains about 150 grams of mineral salts and percentages of sodium chloride, iodide and bromide, all essential elements for therapeutic effects. The waters are cold and they are extracted at a depth of 1200 metres at a temperature of 16°C.

Salsomaggiore is renown for another exclusive product: "Acqua Madre" (Mother Water), which is obtained by the concentration of the iodine bromide water and accrues the percentage of the salts, reducing the presence of the sodium chloride. The result is the heightening of the anti-inflammatory and sedative function of the water itself.

The iodine bromide water, the Acqua Madre and the mud can treat and prevent chronic inflammatory ailments which concern osteoarticular, gynaecological, respiratory system and peripheral circle illnesses. Possible thermal treatments are many, it is the task of the thermal surgeon to direct the most suitable ones for each individual case.

In the centre of Salsomaggiore, the Berzieri thermal spa is a masterpiece of Liberty art-decò of the early nine hundreds. Founded in 1923 it is a unique example of a thermal building. Inside there are marvellous frescoes and artistic decorations with references that go from European to Oriental culture.

The other thermal spa is the Zoja which has been operative since 1973.