Abano Ritz Hotel Terme Abano Terme

ABANO TERME
- The legend: The name Aponos means: to take away pain. The legend says that Phaeton, son of Helios (the sun god), lost control of the Sun god?s chariot while he was driving it across the sky. He was punished for this by Jupiter, who struck him with a thunderbolt. Phaeton fell from the chariot and plunged into the waters. According to the legend this is why the waters of Abano became warm.
According to Roman tradition, the waters were dedicated to a female divinity, maybe a healing goddess, the lady of nature, the goddess that determines the flow of life. The name is Retia and this is the principle name, handed down to us from the inscriptions.
- The history: Abano Thermal spas constitutes the biggest and most ancient thermal establishment in Europe. Archaeological excavations show that the area was inhabited by Paleovenitian populations.
The Imperial Era was a period of great splendor for Abano. The spread of Christianity caused the decadence of the Abano Thermae, since the curative virtues of the waters were connected with the cult of the gods. The thermal establishments were reopened during the predominance of the Republic of Venice. A second golden era was during the second half of the eighteenth century: Abano then became a fashion for the high society of the period. The world wars did not save the thermal establishment. Today, Abano has returned to its former glory.
- The thermal spas: Today, just like 2000 years ago, the thermal spas of Abano are immersed in the green of the Colli Euganei. There is no polluting industry, only natural energy. At Abano the ecocompatible economy has become a reality long before others theorized it. Each activity is connected to the millenary harmony between Man and Nature. Even the heating comes from the heart of the earth. The thermal waters gush out at a temperature of 87° degrees and supply all the heat necessary to warm up the hotels (more than 100) with their thermal centers and pools, which offer an annual tourist thermal season. At the thermal spas, the culture of welcoming clients is an art, handed down from father to son. This is a characteristic that makes the Euganee Thermae a territory whose population has been devoted to welcoming tourists for centuries. The result is a thin net of attentions, which create that particular atmosphere that pervades the hotels, shops, restaurants and amusement sites

THE EUGANEAN HILLS
- The Regional Park: The park was established in 1989 with its 18.702 hectares and includes the highest hill peaks of the Padana plain. Secular oak trees and chestnut tree woods alternate the Mediterranean bush and large vine and fruit terrace cultivations. Today, the natural vocation of the Colli to produce wine, has been institutionalized by the Consortium for the protection of the Denomination of Origin Control, with the recognition of 13 extraordinary wines. The best typical products are also olive oil, ham, chestnut and acacia honey, sour cherries and jujubes. The Euganean Hills are an archeological and natural theater. These hills are the ideal place for all sports: cycling paths, naturalistic paths, horseback riding, trekking, free-climbing, tennis and golf. You can discover paths and follow different itineraries by car, bicycle (20 equipped paths), by horse, with a mountain bike or by foot. You will find a surprise at every bend: a rocky wall, a forest, olive trees and vineyards, meadows and narrow paths.

ART ITINERARIES
Villas, castles, monasteries and towns rich in history and folklore. The magic of this landscape have been the inspiration and shelter for poets and writers, such as: Tito Livio, Francesco Petrarca, Ugo Foscolo, Byron and Shelly. After hermitages (RUA) and abbeys (PRAGLIA), during the 15th century, a period of refined beauty and artistic bloom begins and finds its highest and complete expression in the Venetian Villa. Famous architects, like Andrea Palladio projected homes outside the city for the most powerful Venetian families of the period (Papafava, Barbarigo). In the 1500's, thanks to the Carraresi family, the big medieval fortifications of Monselice Este and Montagnana flourish (more than 2000 meters of walls interrupted by 24 hexagonal towers). The protagonists of each town's artistic-handcraft itineraries are the laboratories and shops, where master artisans create precious art objects, according to ancient techniques handed down from generation to generation.

THE CITIES OF THE ART
- Veneto, for the richness of its historical and artistic patrimony and for the completeness of its offers, is one of the most desired destinations for tourists that are sensible to the environmental and urban quality, courtesy and hospitality. This region possesses many natural richnesses (lakes, hills, sea and mountains) of great fame and interest, together with a unique artistic and cultural patrimony. In many aspects, the Veneto region still waits to be discovered and it proposes Abano Therme as an alternative to the big cities of art, with a rich and diversified offer, in a habitat away from urban congestions and overcrowding.
- Padova can be visited in many ways, choosing for example, one of the many itineraries that conform to the different souls. The Antonian itinerary will lead to the discovery of religious sites, regarding the image of Saint Anthony of Padova. The itinerary can be extended towards the discovery of the city's main religious sites, such as: the Cathedral, St. Giustina Church, St. Nicolò Church, St. Sofia Church. The art itinerary will privilege sacred art by visiting the Scrovegni Chapel, Eremitani Church and the Cathedral Baptistery. Padova also possesses an ancient university "soul", which can give the tour a scientific setting, with visits to the historical sites of the athenaeum, such as, the Bo Palace with the famous Anatomy Theater, the Botanical Garden, the various university museums and the Specola.
A tour of the most famous squares of Padova is a must. Beginning from Prato della Valle and passing by Piazza dei Signori, Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta, you will discover the architecture of the numerous buildings along the streets and parvis, like: Palazzo della Ragione, Torre dell'Orologio, Loggia della Gran Guardia, and so on.