San Pellegrino Terme
San Pellegrino Terme: a spa town and tourism destination
San Pellegrino Terme is a charming Italian municipality located in Bergamo province, in Lombardy. Situated in the center of Val Brembana, surrounded by the Orobie Prealps, this spa town is known around the world for its eponymous mineral water, S. Pellegrino. San Pellegrino Terme preserves within its boundaries the testimony of a past era, the Belle Époque, thanks to its architecture in perfect Liberty style. In this text, we will talk about the physical characteristics of the territory and the climate, as well as the millenary origins of the municipality and its evolution up to the present day.
Physical Geography
Territory
San Pellegrino Terme extends along the banks of the Brembo river, which divides the town in two, in the natural valley of Val Brembana. The surrounding mountains, including Monte Gioco, offer breathtaking landscapes and numerous opportunities for outdoor excursions and activities. The municipality is bordered by several neighboring municipalities, including San Giovanni Bianco, Gerosa, Brembilla, Zogno, Bracca, Algua, and Serina.
Climate
San Pellegrino Terme enjoys a mild climate thanks to its location in the heart of the Orobie Prealps. Summers are pleasantly cool and winter temperatures tend to remain mild, although snow occasionally falls. Thanks to the constant temperatures of its thermal springs, San Pellegrino is an ideal place for thermal treatments and relaxation.
History
Antiquity and Origins
The origins of San Pellegrino date back to the time of the Orobi, a Celtic people who settled in the area. However, the name San Pellegrino dates back to the 8th century AD, when bishops in the service of Charlemagne consecrated and erected parishes in the empire. Since then, the settlement has been dedicated to St. Pellegrino, bishop of Auxerre and martyr. The Parish of San Pellegrino Terme possesses a precious relic of the saints.
Modern Age
San Pellegrino remained quite isolated from the wars and revolutions that shook the rest of Lombardy, but with the construction of the first road in the 16th century, more and more people began to flock to the area.
Contemporary Age
At the end of the 18th century, San Pellegrino began to develop as a thermal center, thanks to the sulfate-alkaline-earthy waters that flow at a constant temperature of 26 degrees, already known since the Middle Ages. In the 20th century, the location transformed into an elegant spa resort. The Sanpellegrino S.p.A. Spa was created, which produces mineral water and carbonated drinks and which has been part of the Swiss Nestlé since 1999. The town's fame increased with the construction of the Municipal Casino in 1904 and the Grand Hotel in 1905. In 1961, the bottling plant for S. Pellegrino mineral water and other Sanpellegrino S. beverages was built.
San Pellegrino Terme continues to be one of Lombardy's most renowned tourist destinations, thanks to the beauty of the landscape, the mild climate, and the numerous outdoor activities, as well as its world-famous thermal establishments.
