The world-famous name San Pellegrino everyone today will associate with water that has 120 years of symbols of quality, an international icon of taste and elegance. This amazing story, which combines elements of design, tradition and taste, begins in the Alps in the town of the same name.
Cesare Mazzoni, a lawyer from Milan, founded the Società Anonima delle Terme di S. Pellegrino later San Pellegrino, then it was listed on the Milan Stock Exchange. During the following year (1900), 35.343 bottles of S. Pellegrino mineral water were produced, of which 5.562 were shipped abroad, and this is where the whole story begins. Today, 1 billion bottles of S.Pellegrino mineral water and Sanpellegrino sparkling fruit drinks are sold worldwide in one year.
Originally, S. Pellegrino water was bottled without carbonation, but when the company began shipping water, they added natural carbonation to preserve the minerals. Customers loved the taste of carbonated water so much, the company stopped selling the non-carbonated version.
Apart from mineral water, this small town is also known for its spas. The first spas were opened, in the first half of the 19th century, by two families: Palazzolo and Salaroli. The old “spas” are now used as a space for temporary exhibitions, and are called “le vecchie terme”. The new baths, in fact the spa, were inaugurated, in a building next to the Casino, in 2006 by the Percassi family. The same family completely restructured the Casino, which was always owned by the municipality of San Pellegrino, but the management is in the hands of the Percassi family for about another 25 years. Since the opening of the baths, the city of San Pellegrino has become a famous health resort enjoyed by half of the European aristocracy.
One of the most beautiful spas in Italy are certainly the QC spas located in several locations in Italy, and these in San Pellegrino will enchant you with their luxury and architecture that perfectly suit this natural environment.
Long time before, wealthy visitors would sleep in the Grand Hotel, by the Brembo River, when they arrived in the city, and in addition to enjoying the spa, the main entertainment was gambling at the Casino. The imposing Grand Hotel, of Art Nouveau construction, has only been partially renovated, as the costs are very high. The casino definitely closed in 1946, and the Grand Hotel in 1979. Of the many visitors from all over Europe, we will list just a few – Queen Margherita di Savoia, Queen Elena, Prince Umberto and Princess Maria, Italian composer Mascagni, General Luigi Cadorna, members of the Russian Zar family, artistic director Federico Fellini and his wife and actress Giulietta Masina , actors such as Ugo Tognazzi and Ornella Muti, the famous Italian singer Adriano Celentano and many others.
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Beside S. Pellegrino Terme are the Grand Hotel, other attractions are the promenade in the city center, the old funicular that leads to a place called Vetta, 650 meters above sea level, and the recently renovated Tempio dei Caduti.
When you relax in the spa, I recommend a night walk along the Brembo River, which will additionally recharge your batteries. From the nightlife you will find bars along the promenade, which are also ideal for a morning coffee with a glass, of course, of S. Pellegrino.
If you are traveling with a child (up to 14 years old) you will not be allowed to enter the Spa QC Terme, so I would recommend that you stay at the nearby luxury hotel Piajo Relax Hotel, which will meet all your expectations. It is located on a hill overlooking Bergamo, blended into the perfection of the nature that surrounds it so relaxation is guaranteed. The spa offers a swimming pool, indoor and outdoor, and the wellness area consists of a panoramic sauna, several baths and relax rooms and showers. The hotel also offers a restaurant that will satisfy even the most demanding gourmand as it offers a fusion of local gastronomic offerings served at the level of Michelin restaurants.
If the road takes you to Lombardy, don’t miss to visit this small thermal paradise to recharge your batteries.
