From the source to the ford: A day in Salice Terme... Lombardy region, Italy
You do not often spend a day in the Roman period that begins and ends in the future, after a long trip to the Marquis of Malaspina, and in addition to a spa resort, surrounded by the nature of one of the most beautiful valleys in northern Italy. To enjoy this pleasant and rich tourism experience, we have not even come so far: Salice Terme in the province of Pavia, about an hour's drive from Milan.
We arrived here in a mild autumn day, and as soon as we started our walk, we realized that location, which is a fraction of the Godiasco, takes its name from the willows, but the salt. In fact, the Romans called this place Locum Salis, because of salt efflorescence on the reddish soil that formed around the ancient Source Sales. The Source, the original of the first century BC and rediscovered in 1849 by Dr. Ernesto Brugnatelli, is the oldest of Salice Terme, and its round structure covers a deep well about twenty feet. The water source of bromine and iodine Sales is now used at the Terme di Salice for inhalation therapy and gynecological problems. Legend has it that the healing waters of Willow had eased the pain of none other than Julius Caesar, who in return from the Gallic expeditions, he would stop right here.
In addition to salt-water spa, we found that Salice Terme has important links with the salt of the Ligurian Sea: in fact, the ancient Salt Road, the trade route that connected with the Po Valley, Liguria, also crossed this location , which in the pre-Latin times was populated by the Ligurian Staffora as the entire valley.
Godiasco name appears for the first time in a diploma in 1164 when the Emperor Frederick I invested the land of the city the Marquis Malaspina Obizzo. The Malaspina Godiasco centuries were always one of the most flourishing branches of the family.
After this first round in the center, we moved just outside of Salice Terme, in the hamlet Montalfeo is a beautiful medieval fortress, recently renovated. Across the street you can see the river Staffora. The pristine nature, the tranquility of its beaches and the charm of its coast which attract many people looking to relax.
These places whose natural beauty can be a source of inspiration for art, have also won the hearts of Tommaso Marinetti, the founder of the futurist movement. The poet and writer had a house right here in Godiasco, and in that house would meet for dinner and cultural debates many important artists including Giacomo Balla.
To crown this beautiful day with the pleasures of good food, we went for dinner in the heart of Salice Terme, near the spa. Entering the restaurant Guado, has accepted an elegant and warm, as well as a written clearly visible that there has been gratified: "We have our most beautiful in the world." Settling at our table, we talked with Mr. Fabio, the owner, who told us that this restaurant operates in Salice Terme in 1911, always offering the specialties of the Lombardy regional cuisine prepared with ingredients of choice. We started our dinner tasting of excellent appetizers, including cold cuts such as prosciutto di San Daniele, culatello Zibello, and Varzi sausage and bacon, bread and cakes to be full of normal pasta, prepared fresh as well as pasta, which is all homemade. We took a polenta grilled cod fish with extra virgin olive oil, and our friend opted for a vegetarian casserole of potatoes and leeks with Bagna Cauda light. Turning to the first, we enjoyed the ravioli braised in Barbera, a good ring of rice baked with gorgonzola fondue, the delicious Malfatti di ricotta and spinach gnocchi with butter and potatoes with melted cheese and white truffle. In the choice of main courses, our group was divided between the fillet of rabbit with Ligurian olives and pine nuts, lamb chops with herbs and spinach, and beef fillet with mushrooms and red wine. Speaking of wine, we washed them with kindness and Oltrepò Pavese of Piedmontese wines, chosen from the extensive selection of national wines at the restaurant. Eventually we expect the fantastic basket of sweet home: Mont Blanc, eat with the white hot chocolate, martine pears cooked in red wine, chocolate and salami.
The next time you come back in Salice Terme, maybe we'll grant a little 'pampering spas, and if you happen in the spring, enjoy another delicious dinner at the ford, in full summer gazebo overlooking the Via Terme.
Frances Bertha
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
www.comune.godiasco.pv.it
www.ristoranteguado.it
Restaurant Guado
Via Terme 59 Salice Terme (PV)
0383/91223