Godiasco Salice Terme, a charming destination in Oltrepò Pavese

Nestled in the charming valley of the Staffora stream, Godiasco Salice Terme is a fascinating destination in theOltrepò Pavese area.
This municipality famous for its thermal waters and its medieval past offers visitors a unique experience of culture, nature and relaxation.

Cover images taken from the municipal website

Ancient history and medieval charm

The origins of Godiasco date back to the Ligurian period, as suggested by the suffix -asco.
In the 13th century, the village was known as Godiliasco, a name probably derived from the Latin Gaudellius or Gaudius.

In 1164, Frederick Barbarossa gave Godiasco as a feud to Marquis Obizzo Malaspina.
Situated along the ancient Via del Sale, the village was a strategic point for trade and toll collection.

⚔️Un important historical episode occurred in 1512, when Giovanni de’ Medici (future Pope Leo X) found refuge in Godiasco after being freed by the French in Pieve del Cairo. However, the local lord, Bernabò Malaspina, was executed for protecting him.

What to see in Godiasco

The village still retains its medieval structure, with narrow alleys, inner courtyards between stone houses and ancient watchtowers: all the charm of its medieval past is clearly perceived.
Among the main places of interest:

• Church of San Siro (16th century), which houses the Museum of Contemporary Art, Wood and Mineralogy
• Palazzo Malaspina Pedemonti (16th century), connected to the church by a fascinating arched corridor.

Salice Terme: wellness and relaxation

⛲SaliceTerme (formerly a hamlet of Godiasco, but given its importance, now part of the municipality name – Godiasco Salice Terme) is a well-known Italian spa resort. The salso-bromo-iodine water well dug in the 1st century B.C. was already used by the Romans and still today has a constant temperature of between 11°C and 14°C.
It is easy to see how the name Salice is connected to the word salt, indicating the chemical composition of its salt-rich thermal waters.
The spring was discovered in 1778 by Serafino Volta, but it was in 1883 that pharmacist Angelini from Voghera discovered the presence of iodine in its waters. The rivazzanese doctor Ernesto Brugnatelli then used the water from this spring to treat goitre, a thyroid disease.
The spa at Salice Terme, on the other hand, is due to Eugenio Crespi and Dr Luigi Ernesto Stoppani. These thermal waters also come from another source: the sulphurous spring of Monte Alfeo.

Entertainment

If you feel like spending a day in the open air with the whole family, and especially if you have children with you who are full of energy and desire for adventure, you cannot miss a stop at the Salice Terme Adventure Park! Here, among trees, suspended walkways, ropes and Tibetan bridges, young and old can test themselves and have fun in total safety.

The properties of salso-bromo-iodine and sulphurous thermal waters

These waters have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, are fluidifying, have antiseptic properties, immunostimulating, sedative effects and are also a panacea in beauty treatments. They are indicated for rheumatic, respiratory, dermatological and skin diseases. A true concentrate of well-being.

As of today, the thermal baths are undergoing renovation: redevelopment of the park and reopening of the Salice thermal baths should take place before the end of 2026. Worth mentioning are

• The large park of over 10 hectares 🌲
• Ada Negri’s oak tree, a place loved by the poet 🌳
• The Pompeian-style building (1903)
• The Grand Hotel delle Terme, built in 1885 🏨

Events and traditions

The village of Godiasco hosts numerous events throughout the year, including:

• Feast of Saints Syrus and Reparata (Whit Monday).
• Curiosity markets (April to August).
• August Fair (last Thursday in August).
• Old St Martin’s Fair (11 November).
• Christmas market (first Sunday in December).

The flavours of the territory

The gastronomy of Godiasco Salice Terme includes local specialities and some De.Co. products, including:

• Oltrepò Pavese wines and grappas
• Artisan doughnuts
• Baci di Godiasco (honey and chocolate biscuits)

Useful information

For those wishing to visit Godiasco Salice Terme, here are some useful references:

• IAT in Salice Terme, at the town hall – Tel. 0383 91207.
• President Hotel, via Perosi – Tel. 0383 92341.
• Golf & Country Club, viale Diviani – Tel. 0383 933370.

Godiasco Salice Terme is an unmissable destination in the Oltrepò Pavese area to get away from the sultriness, surround yourself with greenery and go back in time.