The thermal waters of Salsomaggiore Terme and Tabiano have a history stretching back hundreds of years and are world-famous for their high content of mineral salts and sulphate, which provide beneficial effects to the body. The thermal waters of Salsomaggiore Terme were already used by the Celts and Romans, but it was Lorenzo Berzieri who discovered their curative properties in 1839. Tabiano's water, previously used by the inhabitants to cure themselves, animals and passing soldiers, became famous in the 19th century thanks to Maria Luigia of Austria, who inaugurated a real spa resort in the small town.

The thermal water of Salsomaggiore Terme is a fossilised salso-bromo-iodine water, of marine origin, hypertonic cold with a characteristic rust colour. It is extracted from the bowels of the earth, between 400 and 1200 metres deep, at a temperature of 16°/17° and a density of 14° Baumé. It is among the richest waters in nature in terms of mineral salts and has the highest percentage of iodine and bromine: it has great therapeutic effects and contributes to rebalancing the organism. Tabiano sulphurous water is cold water with a high content of bicarbonates and hydrogen sulphide. It comes from springs or wells and has the highest concentration of sulphates and sulphurous gases in Europe. It is particularly recommended for the treatment and prevention of bronchial, ear, nose, throat and skin diseases.