Hotel Bigio
San Pellegrino Terme - Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, 56
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Nestled in the heart of Val Brembana, San Pellegrino Terme is a renowned spa destination internationally recognised as the birthplace of San Pellegrino mineral water. The town sits in a natural valley surrounded by the Orobie Prealps, and thanks to its stunning landscapes and thermal waters, it’s the perfect destination for a stay focused on relaxation and nature.
In particular, the discovery of sulphate-alkaline-earthy springs flowing at a constant temperature of 26 degrees transformed San Pellegrino into a high-end thermal destination that attracted numerous visitors. During the twentieth century, with the creation of not only the Thermal Centre but also the Municipal Casino (in 1904) and the Grand Hotel (in 1905), the town’s accommodation offering expanded further, making San Pellegrino a highly sought-after destination. From that point onwards, more and more people began to visit the town, which drew visitors from across Lombardy. For this reason, numerous villas and residences in Art Nouveau style were built throughout the area to house wealthy citizens and nobility.
The town of San Pellegrino is divided in two by the course of the Brembo river, and the two areas are connected by five bridges: Dossena bridge, Prince Umberto bridge, Old Bridge (dating back to the fifteenth century), Camillo Cavour bridge and Gaetano Donizetti bridge. The historic centre of the town is located on the west bank and houses the thermal centre, which is considered the symbol of the town, and sites of great historical and architectural interest such as the Casino and the Grand Hotel.
The Municipal Casino was built between 1904 and 1906 by architect Romolo Squadrelli and is a splendid Art Nouveau building. Its construction was part of a modernisation plan for the town that also included the realisation of the Grand Hotel. Externally, the façade features two tall towers that recall those of Charles Garnier’s Monte Carlo Casino.
The entrance presents three wooden doors in Art Nouveau style and Liberty-style lamp posts. The interior has been finely finished and features an atrium with columns in red Verona marble, which lead to a monumental staircase, and Art Nouveau stained-glass windows. The ceiling frescoes depicting the twelve zodiac signs are also of considerable merit. The Casino is connected to the thermal centre via a passage in the courtyard.
At the same time as the Casino’s construction, architect Romolo Squadrelli worked with engineer Luigi Mazzocchi on the realisation of a large hotel complex known as the Grand Hotel San Pellegrino. Once completed, the Grand Hotel was a truly monumental Art Nouveau building with a 128-metre façade and 250 rooms spread across seven floors. The hotel was genuinely cutting-edge for its time, featuring lifts, electric light, drinking water and telephone lines in all rooms.
Distinctive features of the building are certainly the quality of materials used (such as Carrara marble) and external decorations depicting cherubs, festoons and zoomorphic elements. In the early twentieth century, the Grand Hotel completed the town’s tourist offering, which already consisted of the Casino and the Thermal Centre that attracted guests in search of entertainment and relaxation. Over the years, the structure also hosted figures of great fame such as Queen Margherita of Savoy, Eugenio Montale, Salvatore Quasimodo and General Luigi Cadorna. Unfortunately, in 1979 the structure closed due to high operating costs.
San Pellegrino was the Bishop of Auxerre, condemned to martyrdom by the emperor Gallienus, and his name was first given to the town’s parish church and then to the entire town. The church was founded around the eighth century AD by bishops in the service of Charlemagne. The religious building that we can admire today was built in the early eighteenth century on the remains of a previous church that had become too small to accommodate all the faithful.
The interior is in late Baroque style with a single nave divided into five bays. The presbytery features barrel vault ceilings and is lit by four large windows. Above the high altar, there is an altarpiece depicting the Martyrdom of San Pellegrino created by Pietro Longhi.
San Pellegrino Terme is surrounded by several mountains that are part of the Orobie (or Bergamasque) Prealps and are perfect for those wanting to organise easy walks or day excursions that allow you to admire breathtaking panoramas. Among the most well-known excursions are those leading to the small village of Sussia and the routes that take you to the top of Monte Zucco, Monte Sornadello or Monte Gioco. For cycling enthusiasts, there are many options starting with the Brembana Valley cycle route. This itinerary, approximately 21 km long, runs along the course of the Brembo river starting from Zogno and, passing through several municipalities including San Pellegrino, reaches Piazza Brembana.
The Bergamo area is rich in thermal waters and among all those present, the San Pellegrino spring is certainly the most famous. The properties of San Pellegrino Terme’s waters were known already in the Middle Ages, but it wasn’t until 1840 that a first truly cutting-edge thermal centre was built.
During the Belle Époque years, San Pellegrino had become a luxury destination characterised by sumptuous Art Nouveau buildings, tree-lined avenues and elegant gardens with fountains. After the Great War, however, the thermal baths experienced years of decline whilst at the same time the exploitation of the springs grew, bringing San Pellegrino mineral water to be present throughout the world.
Following the closure of the old thermal centre, San Pellegrino equipped itself with new thermal baths that now extend over 6,000 square metres and offer various services to visitors. The properties of the local mineral-rich waters have been recognised by the Ministry of Health and are ideal both for those requiring therapies and for those seeking relaxation.
Currently San Pellegrino hosts several hotels, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses that welcome visitors throughout the year. The historic centre is certainly the best area to stay in, as it also features restaurants, meeting places, sports and recreational facilities and the thermal centre.
Alternatively, you can also stay in larger towns such as Bergamo, which offers a wider choice of accommodation, and allows you to reach San Pellegrino on a day trip.
San Pellegrino Terme can be easily reached by car. Those coming from Venice by car should take the A4 motorway with exit at Bergamo toll booth and then continue along the SS470 towards San Pellegrino Terme – Valle Brembana. Those coming from Milan should take the A4/E64 until the Dalmine exit and then continue along the SS470 towards San Pellegrino Terme.
Those wishing to travel by train should first reach Bergamo station and from there continue by bus to San Pellegrino. The nearest airport is Bergamo Orio al Serio, which is approximately 30 km from the town.
What's the weather at San Pellegrino Terme? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at San Pellegrino Terme for the next few days.
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