Tettuccio

Tettuccio, also known as Terme Tettuccio, is the principal thermal-bath complex in Montecatini Terme, a town in the province of Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy. The name Tettuccio, meaning “little roof,” refers to the distinctive glass-and-iron pavilion that illuminates the interior. The complex is part of the Terme di Montecatini spa system and has played a central role in the town’s development as a renowned spa destination since the 19th century.

Architecturally, Tettuccio is celebrated for its Belle Époque and early modern spa design. It features a long arcade leading to a vast central hall covered by a sweeping glass roof, with interiors that showcase marble, stucco, mosaics, and decorative ironwork. The building embodies the period’s emphasis on light, space, and ceremonial bathing contexts.

Historically, the Tettuccio was developed during Montecatini’s spa boom, when visitors sought therapeutic treatments for digestive, metabolic, respiratory, and rheumatic conditions. The complex offered drinking cures, bathing pavilions, and medical offices, reflecting the era’s spa culture and medical tourism.

Today, Terme Tettuccio remains an operating spa facility within the Terme di Montecatini network. It provides thermal baths, inhalation therapies, mud treatments, and wellness programs. The site remains a major tourist and architectural landmark, illustrating Montecatini’s transformation from a medieval settlement into a prominent European spa destination.