The History
A Century of Splendour
The history of Caffè Storico Tettuccio
The Historic Tettuccio Café: An icon of the Belle Époque in Montecatini Terme. In the heart of the city, nestled within the historic Tettuccio Thermal Complex, the Historic Tettuccio Café is a true Liberty-style gem that embodies the elegance and charm of the Italian Belle Époque. It is a journey through time that has continued for nearly a century. Inaugurated in June 1928 in the presence of Giuseppe Volpi di Misurata, then Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Italy, the Historic Tettuccio Café quickly became a social and cultural landmark for high society and the intellectual elite of the time. Adorned with frescoes by artists Giulio Bargellini and Maria Biseo, the venue still preserves its original furnishings, including boiserie, mirrors, and Liberty style details, all of which contribute to a unique and refined atmosphere.
Writers at Caffè Storico Tettuccio
The Caffè Storico Tettuccio is not only a place of elegance and refinement, but also a space steeped in cultural memory. Among the most fascinating episodes in its long history, one in particular deserves to be remembered.
It was August 13, 1933, a warm summer morning. Inside the newly inaugurated Tettuccio — opened just five years earlier — an extraordinary event was taking place: a gathering of some of the greatest Italian intellectuals, poets, and writers of the time. The occasion was Le Mattinate del Libro (“The Mornings of the Book”), organised by the magazine Montecatini Terme, held in the monumental hall of the Café, adorned with stuccoes, gold leaf, frescoes, and sculptures.
Seated around a horseshoe-shaped table were legendary figures such as Luigi Pirandello, Trilussa, Massimo Bontempelli, the visionary Futurist Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, Guelfo Civinini, Lucio D’Ambra, Silvio D’Amico, Salvator Gotta, and the young Paola Masino, only twenty-five at the time and already winner of second prize in the Viareggio literary competition for her novel Periferia.
In the audience, spa guests sipped healing waters while attending book presentations, listening to literary conversations, and receiving personalised dedications in the books they had just purchased. Imagine today the value of an original autograph from Pirandello, Bontempelli, or Marinetti — obtained right here, among the columns and mosaics of the Tettuccio Café.
The atmosphere was that of an elite literary salon, in the heart of Montecatini Terme, alive with art, culture, and dialogue. The event culminated at noon, when the entire company — writers, publishers, journalists, and readers — strolled together along Viale delle Terme to the Grand Hotel La Pace, where the day continued around the dining table.
A fragment of history that still lives on within the walls of the Caffè Storico Tettuccio — a place that has inspired, and continues to inspire, Italian culture.
The Tettuccio Thermal Complex, a sanctuary of wellness and art
In the heart of Montecatini Terme rises the Tettuccio Thermal Complex, a true symbol of the city and a masterpiece of European spa architecture. Nestled in a lush park, this complex represents the perfect blend of wellness, art, and history, drawing visitors from all over the world. The origins of the Tettuccio Complex date back to the 14th century, when it was known as the Bagno Nuovo (“New Bath”), named for a small canopy that once covered the thermal spring. Between 1779 and 1781, under the direction of Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo of Tuscany, architect Gaspero Maria Paoletti designed the first real spa building, featuring a striking rusticated stone portal with strong visual impact.
In 1916, Florentine architect Ugo Giovannozzi presented a renovation project inspired by ancient Roman baths, which was completed in 1928. The result was a monumental complex featuring colonnades, exedras, fountains, and vast flowerbeds, set within a park filled with cedars of Lebanon, palms, sequoias, and other rare and noble plant species.
The Tettuccio Complex is a triumph of art and symbolism. At the entrance, a large granite fountain shaped like a shell and supported by bronze sea creatures — sculpted by Sirio Tofanari — welcomes visitors. Above the architrave, one can read the inscription: “Balsamo che tolto vien di sotterra e s’apre al chiaro giorno” (“A balm drawn from the earth and opened to the clear light of day”), a verse by Giuseppe Parini.
Inside, the Galleria delle Mescite is decorated with seven large polychrome ceramic panels, created in 1926, which represent allegories of the stages of life and the benefits of thermal waters. The orchestra hall, with its circular tribune and frescoed dome, is yet another example of the elegance and refinement of the establishment.
The Tettuccio Complex is renowned for its thermal waters, known since the 14th century for their healing properties. The main springs are Tettuccio, Regina, Leopoldina, and Rinfresco.
Embracing the timeless values of tradition
An elegant meeting place for culture and wellness
The Tettuccio Thermal Complex in Montecatini Terme is not only a Liberty-style architectural masterpiece, but also a place that, over the decades, has welcomed some of the most influential figures from the international cultural, artistic, and political scenes.
A gathering place for composers and musicians
The Tettuccio Thermal Baths have drawn numerous world-renowned composers and musicians. Among them, Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Ruggero Leoncavallo, and Pietro Mascagni chose Montecatini for restful stays and creative inspiration. The thermal waters and refined atmosphere of the complex provided the perfect setting for musical creativity.
Actors, directors, and film stars
The allure of the Tettuccio Baths also captivated the world of cinema. Celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Totò, and Gary Cooper frequented the establishment, further cementing its international reputation.
Intellectuals and Nobel laureates
Montecatini Terme has long been a favourite destination for intellectuals and Nobel Prize winners. Figures such as Luigi Pirandello, Trilussa, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, and Rita Levi Montalcini found in the Tettuccio Baths a space for inspiration and cultural exchange.
Royals, political leaders, and sports icons
The Tettuccio Complex has hosted numerous members of royal families and global political leaders. Among its distinguished visitors were Vittorio Emanuele III, Umberto II, Grace Kelly, Henry Kissinger, and Pelé. Their presence further enhanced the international prestige of Montecatini Terme.
The Caffè Storico Tettuccio today: tradition, elegance, and new life
In the heart of Montecatini’s Tettuccio Thermal Complex, among marbles, mosaics, and Liberty-style columns, the Caffè Storico Tettuccio continues to thrive — preserving its timeless elegance while embracing the present with new ideas, events, and offerings.
Sitting at a table in the Caffè Storico Tettuccio means stepping into a suspended atmosphere, surrounded by original 1920s furnishings, painted boiserie, gilded mirrors, and grand chandeliers. The thermal water and the lush, manicured garden offer a natural stage for gatherings and events.
The Café is not just a bar — it is a living cultural centre. In recent years, it has hosted concerts, literary afternoons, art exhibitions, lectures, and musical performances, once again placing the venue at the heart of both local and tourist life.
Beyond its architectural prestige, the café also offers refined coffee and brunch service, with a carefully curated selection of sweet and savoury delights. These are inspired by Tuscan tradition, yet reimagined with a contemporary touch.
Today, the Caffè Storico Tettuccio is more than ever a symbol of Montecatini Terme. It is a place where past and present meet, where the elegance of the Belle Époque encounters the energy of today’s visitors. It is an invitation to slow down, savour the moment, and take it all in.
Entry into the Historic place of Italy network
In 2025, the Caffè Storico Tettuccio was officially recognised as a Historic place of Italy, joining the prestigious network under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture. This recognition affirms the café’s significance as a cultural and identity-bearing treasure of our country, further enhancing its prestige. Being part of this network also means committing to the active preservation of heritage, the promotion of historical memory, and the advancement of high-quality tourism.
