# Parco Montirone

Montirone is a small hill located in the center of Abano Terme, Italy. Until the mid-1960s, it was the natural source of one of the most significant springs in the Euganean thermal basin. Currently, it serves as a public park, and the two buildings at its entrance previously housed the Civic Art Gallery and the Civic Art Gallery, now relocated to the Villa Bassi Rathgeb Museum.

## Etymology

The origin of the name "Montirone" is relatively uncertain. One scholarly tradition suggests it derives from "Mons Geryonis," linking it to Geryon and the cult of thermal waters. However, a more plausible explanation is a more straightforward origin, stemming from a diminutive of "monte" (mount), such as "montarone" or "montariolo," as attested in other locations in the Po Valley. Supporting this hypothesis is the fact that, during the Middle Ages, the area of the hill was referred to as "Montaone."

## Geology

Originally, Montirone covered a larger area than what is visible today. At first glance, especially when compared to nearby hills like San Daniele or Monteortone, it may not appear as a notable elevation. In reality, Montirone (also known as Monte Irone) is unrelated to the Euganean Hills, having a completely different origin. It is a small elevation composed of a type of rock called "travertine," rising about 5 meters above the surrounding plain. Travertine is a chemically formed limestone rock, created by the precipitation of calcium carbonate deposited by thermal waters. These thermal waters naturally emerged from the springs present in Montirone until the mid-1960s.
Investigations conducted on uranium isotopes date the deposition of Montirone's travertine to approximately 30,000 years ago, indicating that the waters that formed it must have circulated at great depths and for extended periods. From a geostructural perspective, another important aspect is the fractures found on its surface. The study of the main fracture directions has provided insights into the fractures present in the Euganean subsoil, which are associated with the rapid ascent of high-temperature fluids. In the Euganean area, the presence of high-temperature water is not due to waning volcanic phenomena but is attributed to these waters having circulated for long periods at depths exceeding 3 kilometers, acquiring the Earth's internal heat. The development of geothermal systems capable of producing thermal manifestations, like those present in Montirone, requires the simultaneous occurrence of several factors: a heat source, a heat carrier (water), a highly fractured rock reservoir in the subsoil that allows water circulation, and geological structures that increase the permeability of the geothermal reservoir, facilitating the heating of fluids by convection and their rapid ascent to the surface, sometimes creating travertine deposits like that of Montirone.

### From the twentieth century to today

At the beginning of the 20th century, Abano experienced its Belle Époque moment. In this context, around 1912, the entrance to Montirone was monumentalized with the construction of an imposing Neoclassical Corinthian-style colonnade, consisting of four columns and two lateral pilasters with an entablature. The frieze bears the inscription "Sorgente Montirone" and, in smaller letters, the opening lines of the poem Aponus by Claudian. On either side of the colonnade, two lightly rusticated pavilions were built for the use of thermal treatments. During the 1920s and 1930s, these were embellished with framed windows and upper balustrades, which remain to this day. It should be noted that this structure is not the work of Jappelli, as is sometimes erroneously stated.
During this period, Montirone reached its peak of importance. In 1942, a statue of the goddess Hygieia, created by the sculptor Paolo Boldrin, was placed at the top of the hill.
However, this phase was followed by a rapid decline in the site's thermal significance. The thermal establishments began drilling their own wells to access underground water directly. As a result of the intensive extraction, the water table dropped significantly, causing the natural hot springs—active for millennia—to stop flowing spontaneously. From then on, the water had to be pumped to the surface.
In 1966, the Municipality of Abano Terme acquired the area and converted it into a public park. The pavilions were temporarily used as a residence and studio by the Aponense-born painter Luigi della Vigna before being incorporated into municipal property. In the 1990s, a major renovation project took place, including:
The restoration of the Jappellian complex
The reopening of the entrance in front of the Oratory
The enhancement of the remains of the ancient mill's elevated water conduit through the creation of a fountain
At this time, the entrance buildings were refurbished and repurposed as:
The Municipal Art Gallery
The Civic Art Collection, housing selections from the Bassi-Rathgeb Collection
The recent history of Montirone has been rather troubled.
Between 2013 and 2015, further restoration was carried out on the thermal pools and pavilions. The latter were turned into a single exhibition space for temporary art shows, following the establishment of a Civic Museum, primarily intended to house the Bassi-Rathgeb Collection.
However, shortly after the latest renovations, the thermal water supply ceased once again. Additionally, acts of vandalism were reported. In response, the municipal administration announced new interventions to revitalize Montirone, which began in 2022.
Adjacent to Montirone is the Kursaal complex, historically used as a conference center but currently abandoned. After years of inactivity, an ambitious redevelopment project was launched, entrusted to the renowned architect Stefano Boeri, famous for the "Vertical Forest" in Milan. The plan aims to transform the Kursaal into a cultural and recreational hub, integrating green spaces and modern facilities, with the goal of restoring vitality to the heart of Abano Terme.

## Related entries

* Abano Terme
* Aponus
* Ex Oratorio del Montirone
* Termalismo
* Terme Euganee
* TermeFacile