Porretta Terme is a small town in the province of Bologna. The village lies at the foot of the Appennines mountains near the border between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna regions. This vast mountainous area that extends south of the Via Emilia is full of picturesque rural villages with amazing artistic treasures. Along the highway 64 we meet cities such as Casalecchio and Marzabotto of great historical interest. The route, which also offers excellent cuisine and handicrafts, ending with Porretta Terme.
The village is a well-known thermal spa and a very popular tourist destination since 1800. The story of Porretta revolves around its spa. The properties of local waters, which come from eight natural sources, were known by Romans and probably by the Etruscans. Some finds of classical era testify, in fact, the use of these waters as early as the first century b.C. The Mascherone, a mask depicting the face of a lion of roman age, is nowaday the symbol of the town.
After a long period of neglect the spa returned to be frequented in the thirteenth century. Porretta Terme was indeed on the Emilia way and it was then destination for traders and pilgrims. Over time it became a real touristic center frequented by the aristocratics of this area. A great impetus was given in 1800 with the construction of the Porrettana road and the rail station. The Spa are situated in the Palaces of Bovi Leone, dating back from the eighteenth century, Donzelle, of 1814, and the recent structure of Puzzola.
