The Grotta - History

Many years ago, in 1849, Domenico Giusti, administrator of one of the richest families in the area was informed by some labourers, who were working in a lime quarry on the hills above Monsummano, that they had found a cavity which, up till then had been hidden by a large rock. The sounds that came back, after throwing stones into it, convinced them that there was water at the bottom.
Full of curiosity, he had the opening made wider and asked for volunteers to go down to inspect this mysterious natural well.
The scene that appeared before the eyes of the courageous explorers was both breathtaking and unexpected: when they returned to the surface they told of wonderful stalactites and stalagmites which hung from above and sprang from the ground, and of a picturesque small lake which pervaded the whole environment with its steam, thus inducing a profuse perspiration in all who, inebriated by these unusual surroundings, stayed to admire the spectacle. One person even went as far as to say that the articular pains he had had for years had disappeared and that he felt much better.
News spread rapidly afar, and the beneficial effects that the grotto produced in those who suffered with articular problems awoke the interest of eminent physicians, who studied the phenomena and found important scientific confirmation of the clinical effectiveness of the treatment.

Seeing the success obtained with this discovery, Domenico Giusti decided to have "treatment rooms" built for the comfort of the increasing number of persons who decided to come and stay in this "miraculous atmosphere".
And so began the construction of the original Establishment, which, after many transformations and improvements has become the present day Grotta Giusti Spa.

In the meantime, news of the "steam baths" and their surprising results spread outside Italy, and foreigners, above all French and English, came ever more numerous to the Regio Stabilimento. Even Giuseppe Garibaldi experienced their effectiveness and wrote an enthusiastic letter of thanks to the owners of the Grotta. 1880 saw the construction of the "Albergo Reale" where, amongst others, Giuseppe Verdi and the Prince of Naples stayed.

Over the years the inside of the Grotta has undergone considerable changes which, without altering its primitive beauty, have rendered its access easier and safer to its many visitors.

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