Description

The history of the Baths of Telese begins in Roman times and the presence of mineral waters is probably linked to the prosperity that the Samnite city of Telesia experienced under the Roman Empire; although among the numerous remains of Roman buildings there are some that document the thermal use of the locality, there is no longer any evidence of the use of the waters until the earthquake of 1349 that destroyed the ancient city but also caused the leakage of mineral waters and thus the discovery of sulfur springs in modern times. The fame of the waters and their beneficial properties towards diseases of the skin, digestive system, respiratory system and rheumatism soon spread, also contributing to the reconstruction of the city not far from the ancient one. The first studies on the waters, therefore, date back to 1734, with the publication "De acidulis telesinis dissertatio" by Tommaso Bruni, which was followed by "Memorie sull'indole e sull'uso delle acque minerali di Telese" by Pietro Paolo Perugini in 1819 and the "Guida medica per l'uso delle acque minerali di Telese" by Liborio Marone in 1857, the latter published at the same time as the opening of the present thermal complex, which was later renovated and expanded several times. By virtue of the extraordinary local thermal resource and following a consultative referendum held in 1991, in 1992 the locality until then known as Telese changed its name to Telese Terme. The waters The waters of Telese Terme are mineral waters rich in carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, but above all in bivalent sulfur, similar to that contained in all the cells of the human body; the interaction between the sulfur contained in the waters and that present in the body is at the basis of the process of both prevention and treatment of various diseases including ENT and respiratory diseases, gynecological diseases, diseases of the gastrointestinal system, rheumatic diseases and dermatological diseases. Also used for hydropinic cures in its natural effervescent water form, Telese's thermal water has a rich component of carbon dioxide that facilitates peripheral blood circulation and the consequent dilation of capillaries, thus combating cardiovascular diseases. Advertisement The thermal establishment Thermal activity in Telese Terme is largely carried out in the establishment located in Piazza Minieri, which is the name of the family that in the late 1800s did its best to publicize local thermal activity. The treatment departments are set in a park of century-old trees that is among the largest in Italy where the spring basins are located and include a Dermatological Photobalneotherapy Center for the treatment of psoriasis and other dermatological afflictions, an ENT Center for the diagnosis and treatment of ear diseases, a Center for Pathophysiology, Physiokinesitherapy and Respiratory Allergology for functional diagnosis and allergology of respiratory diseases, a Cardio-Angiology Center for the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vasculopathies, and a Center for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system of both arthro-rheumatic and traumatic origin. In the so-called "Parco delle Terme" with entrance from Piazza Minieri there are also two spring thermal water pools, the "Goccioloni" pool and the "Pera" pool, both indicated in particular for the prevention and treatment of dermatological pathologies while a third thermal pool is located in the thermal wards of the Grand Hotel Telese, used mainly for neuro-motor rehabilitation activities and vascular paths; in the hotel there is also a well-equipped Wellness Center. The Spa Park's facilities are then completed with a number of recreational facilities, including a children's playground, a water bottling plant and a conference center of about 500 seats. Tourism in the surrounding area Telese is a destination for archaeological as well as spa tourism: remnants of the ancient and powerful Samnite city of Telesia, with ancient walls, an amphitheater, circus and baths are located in nearby San Salvatore Telesino. The presence of various recreational facilities and a vibrant cultural life thanks to the promotion of numerous artistic and cultural events make for an inviting stay for everyone, including nature tourism enthusiasts who can enjoy hiking through an almost unspoiled environment. But there is no shortage of attractions within a short distance. Only 30 kilometers, for example, divide Telese from two of the most beautiful cities in Campania, Benevento and Caserta; the former a true city of art with monuments such as the Arch of Trajan, the Roman Theater, the Cloister of Santa Sofia, the Sannio Museum and the Rocca dei Rettori, the latter with the famous Reggia built by the Bourbons in the 18th century but also with a splendid medieval village. Even closer (10 kilometers) is Cerreto Sannita, a jewel of 18th-century urban layout with a typical Borgo and several churches of historical and artistic interest, and Guardia Sanframondi (11 kilometers) with its large historic center that has remained almost intact for centuries thanks also to a structure that makes it inaccessible to cars. Pietraroja and its famous geo-paleontological park where fossils dating back 200 million years and even a small dinosaur can be seen is 20 kilometers away while a little farther away (about 50 kilometers) is Pietralcina, the town where Padre Pio was born and at which the house where he was born and the places of his childhood can be visited.