Montecatini seems to be slowly preparing for a new chapter. In early 2026, it was announced that a Tuscan investment group led by entrepreneur Claudio Cardini had expressed interest in a large-scale redevelopment of the historic Leopoldine and La Salute thermal baths. The plan refers to a luxury wellness resort with around one hundred rooms, a renovated thermal spa, and even small-scale bungalow accommodation spread throughout the park of La Salute.
The architecture would be entrusted to the well-known Florentine architect Marco Casamonti, renowned for Antinori’s ultra-modern wine cellars, with an emphasis on restoration and respect for the historic character of the Belle Époque buildings. Investments are said to potentially reach nearly one hundred million euros.
For Montecatini, where many thermal complexes have stood empty for years, it feels to some like a long-awaited rebirth. Locally, however, there are also concerns that the balance between wellness, heritage, and traditional thermalism must not be lost. Nevertheless, we still find Montecatini very pleasant!
Montecatini Today: Faded Grandeur or Hidden Charm?
Montecatini still evokes mixed reactions today, and rightly so. Its elegant thermal buildings, wide avenues, palm trees, and Art Nouveau atmosphere give the town a distinctly cosmopolitan feel. The Parco delle Terme is wonderful for a stroll, with historic buildings and an atmosphere that recalls a forgotten spa town from an old Italian film rather than a sleek modern wellness resort. Which it is not — and that is precisely its strength.
Elisabeth Bertrand
https://www.dolcevia.com/nl/italie-reizen/regio/toscane/montecatini-terme-toscane
