On September 13, 2025, two Tuscan municipalities—Montecatini Terme and Quarrata—unveiled ambitious public works plans aimed at revitalizing key local assets and protecting their communities against environmental risks. While Montecatini is betting on the restoration of historic properties within its famed thermal park to boost tourism and community life, Quarrata is doubling down on flood prevention by investing in the maintenance of its intricate network of small water channels. Together, these initiatives reflect a broader regional commitment to sustainable urban development and public well-being.
Montecatini Terme, renowned for its thermal springs and lush parkland, has long been a magnet for visitors seeking wellness, culture, and recreation. However, some of the town’s most iconic spaces have fallen into disrepair, casting a shadow over its reputation and diminishing the experience for both residents and tourists. Determined to turn the tide, the Municipality of Montecatini has proposed the purchase of two abandoned properties within the heart of the pineta, or pine forest, which forms the green lung of the city.
According to La Nazione, the two sites in question—the ex latrine Fortuna on via della Torretta and the ex capanna spazzini known as “La Casina”—currently stand as stark reminders of neglect. The ex latrine, a small hexagonal building with a 950-square-meter surrounding area, once served as a bike rental and electric vehicle hub. Meanwhile, La Casina, set on roughly 1,100 square meters, was previously used by sanitation workers. Both have been left to deteriorate, representing what locals see as blights on an otherwise cherished landscape.
Under the proposal sent to Enrico Terzani, liquidator of Società Terme di Montecatini, the municipality has offered 40,000 euros for the ex latrine and 50,000 euros for La Casina, for a total outlay of 90,000 euros. These figures are based on official valuations and were unanimously approved by the city council at its July 31 session. The move is not merely about property acquisition—it’s about restoring dignity and vibrancy to a space that lies at the very heart of Montecatini’s identity.
The vision, as articulated by Mayor Claudio Del Rosso and technical director Claudio Gariboldi, is to transform these sites from symbols of decay into pillars of community life and tourist appeal. The ex latrine could once again become a hub for bike sharing, this time modernized with electric options and serving as a launchpad for cycling tours across the region. La Casina, on the other hand, is slated to become a gathering place, possibly housing the much-needed public restrooms that have been lacking since the closure of other facilities. “Our goal is to restore these spaces so they become assets for everyone, improving both the usability and safety of the pineta,” officials explained, as reported by La Nazione.
But the municipality’s ambitions don’t stop there. In a nod to Montecatini’s storied past, city leaders also plan to participate in an upcoming auction for a bust statue dedicated to Pietro Grocco. Grocco, who served as chief medical officer of the Terme di Montecatini from 1892, played a pivotal role in the city’s golden age during the Belle Époque. The bust, officials say, would be a fitting centerpiece for the future Museum of the Terme, to be housed in the historic Palazzina Regia. “This is not just about preserving art,” one official noted, “but about safeguarding the collective memory of our community.”
While Montecatini looks to the past to inspire its future, Quarrata, a neighboring municipality, is tackling a more immediate challenge: water management. Prone to flooding even during moderate rainfall, Quarrata’s safety and infrastructure depend heavily on the proper maintenance of its minor watercourses—fossi, canals, and ditches that crisscross the landscape.
According to La Nazione, the Municipality of Quarrata has signed a three-year framework agreement with a specialized company to maintain these small water systems. The contract, valued at 184,000 euros, is structured to provide 65,000 euros for the remainder of 2025, 92,000 euros for 2026, and the balance for 2027. The aim is to ensure rapid, targeted interventions to mitigate hydrogeological risks, especially in areas susceptible to flooding and overflow.
Deputy Mayor and Assessor Patrizio Mearelli emphasized the significance of this investment, telling La Nazione, “This amount is twice the municipal funds allocated last year.” The agreement covers both urgent maintenance—triggered by weather alerts for hydrogeological or hydraulic risk—and extraordinary upkeep. Tasks include cutting back vegetation, dredging and cleaning channels, video inspections of blocked sections, and removing any obstacles to water flow. “This framework contract is the most effective and flexible tool we have to respond to unpredictable situations as they arise,” Mearelli explained.
One of the key advantages of the framework agreement is its adaptability. Unlike fixed-term contracts, it allows the municipality to determine the scope and frequency of interventions based on real-time needs identified by the Public Works Office. “This lets us carry out a whole series of interventions that may seem small in scale but are no less important for the hydraulic safety of our territory, which remains our top priority,” said Mearelli.
The contract covers all water channels under municipal jurisdiction, which ultimately feed into the larger systems managed by the Consorzio di Bonifica 3 Medio Valdarno. However, responsibility for maintaining drainage systems on private land remains with the respective property owners. The municipality is already reaching out to these individuals to ensure they meet their obligations, as the collective effort is crucial for the effective functioning of the entire network.
Both Montecatini and Quarrata’s initiatives highlight the ongoing balancing act faced by local governments: preserving historical and cultural assets while investing in the nuts-and-bolts infrastructure that keeps communities safe and functional. In Montecatini, the hope is that a revived pineta will not only attract more tourists but also provide a healthier, more vibrant space for residents. In Quarrata, the focus is on safeguarding homes and businesses against the ever-present threat of flooding, a challenge made more urgent by changing climate patterns.
As these projects move forward, they serve as reminders that the health and vitality of a community depend as much on thoughtful stewardship of the past as on pragmatic planning for the future. Whether through the restoration of a historic park or the diligent maintenance of water channels, both towns are investing in resilience, beauty, and the shared well-being of their citizens.
