Terme Lucane

The small mountain town of Latronico, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata, hosts the little-known hot springs called Terme Lucane. The spas are located near the small hamlet of Calda, a town whose name literally means “hot,” in reference to the high-temperature springs that can be found here.

The thermal district is located among the mountains of the Pollino National Park, one of the most pristine areas of all of Italy. The properties of the local waters are known since at least prehistoric times, as proved by some archaeological findings in the area, but the current spas were established in the early 20th century.

The spas are surrounded by a large park that can be visited freely. The park is adorned with fountains and fitness equipment that can be used by anyone. A pathway leads to a stream that features beautiful small waterfalls. Along this path there is a piece of land art known as Earth Cinema. It consists of a 45-meter (148-foot) long cut into a hill. Inside the art piece, a 7-meter (22-foot) wide opening resembling a cinema screen allows visitors to view the inside of the earth and feel like a part of it.