Bagni di Lucca

Bagni di Lucca is a spa town in Tuscany, nestled in the Lima Valley amid the foothills of the Apennines, just a short distance from Lucca. Its hot springs, used since Roman times, brought the town renown from the 19th century onwards, when European aristocrats travelled here to take the waters. The village retains architecture from that prosperous era, including the Ponte delle Catene, a suspension bridge held by chains spanning the river, and a former casino counted among the earliest in Europe. The area is spread across several hamlets, such as Bagni Caldi and Corsena, set within a mid-mountain landscape well suited to walking, with chestnut woods typical of the region. Local gastronomy makes good use of chestnut flour and valley produce, in a quiet, rural setting. The nearby walled city of Lucca makes for an easy day trip, while the mild climate of the Tuscan hills suits visits in both spring and autumn. The town's appeal lies chiefly in its peaceful atmosphere and understated spa heritage, away from the region's busier tourist routes.