At Terme di Lurisia, the water really does cure. This was known by local miners in the 1900s who healed their wounds by soaking them in this “magic” water. This was scientifically certified by Nobel laureate Madame Marie Curie in 1918, demonstrating the exceptional therapeutic properties of Lurisia thermal water, a radioemanating water with unique benefits. The Lurisia Hydrothermal Institute since 1940 has been a source of health, a place set in an extraordinary landscape and a relaxing atmosphere, where it is easy to take care of yourself.

Legend has it that the discovery of the water was unintentionally made by one of dozens of miners working in the Nivolano (now Lurisia) area in the early years of the last century. Picking at the rock face to dislodge its lose, the typical indigenous stone slabs used for building, he unintentionally struck a vein of spring water that turned out to be good for drinking but even better for cleansing sores and wounds that, almost miraculously, healed in a very short time. The “magical” qualities of this spring soon became well known even outside the territory, attracting the attention of a multitude of curious people, including doctors and researchers, who studied its characteristics, definitively attesting to the medicinal and beneficial qualities of the water.

In 1913, Prof. Lincio (a famous mineralogy scholar) made excavations in the area and discovered the existence of extensive deposits of a particular radioactive mineral called AUTUMNITE. This news drew the interest of the Italian government.

In 1918 Marie Curie (internationally renowned Great Scientist and Nobel Prize winner for discovering Radium) was called by the Italian government. He thus arrived in Italy and visited the deposits of Ischia, Montecatini, and finally in August 1918 arrived in Lurisia. He thus did many studies.
He collected a sample of autumnite and took it to the Paris Institute to do the relevant analysis and research. He therefore confirmed the radioemanation of the water and its exceptional therapeutic properties.

From the determination and will of Pietro Cignolini, David Garbarino, and Piero Sciaccaluga, a doctor and two far-sighted entrepreneurs from Liguria, the first Lurisia Spa was established in 1940. The possibility of using this admirable water for medicinal purposes was thus made available to all, but administering it with scientific methods and practices that even more amplified its benefits.
Lurisia became, thus, a center of important hydrothermal research but also a delightful place for vacation and wellness, a favorite destination for thousands of people including great and important personalities of the time, such as President of the Republic Gronchi, architect Giò Ponti and other researchers and doctors.

Only later, by decree of the Ministry of Health, was it allowed to be bottled and sold, thus succeeding in bringing the healthful qualities of Lurisia’s Fonte Santa Barbara to, indeed, “between” everyone’s lips.