Greenhouse Rosa, Italy

Greenhouse Rosa is an abandoned glasshouse located in a picturesque thermal spa town in Italy. This beautiful early 20th Century polychrome greenhouse closed in the 1990s. Now it is being swallowed by nature, year after year.

I visited this location during my summer 2021 Italian road trip.

A beautiful abandoned Italian greenhouse Rosa

The history of the Greenhouse Rosa is somewhat obscure, but it is likely they date back to the early 20th Century (around 1910). One thread of evidence suggests they were bought at a fair in Germany, and then brought to Italy. Another suggestion is they were designed by the presiding architect during a phase of expansion and renovation of the spa and parklands. The greenhouse closed in the 1990s, around the time that many of the other spa facilities closed.

The main central area is the tallest, and features the most decorative features. The front of the greenhouse has polychrome glass in green, yellow and purple. The door has a cute purple-coloured glass canopy on the outside. Above this canopy is a large rose, in a matching purple and encircled with green. The glass panels of the iron-framed door are decorated with yellow and green panels. This area of Greenhouse Rosa was perhaps used to grow palm trees.

Additionally, there are two symmetrical side wings; lower and longer than the central area, and each has slightly different layouts. The north wing has long benches, and is much less overgrown. In this room the mechanisms to open the roof vents can be seen. The door at the far side is also most beautiful. The south wing is dominated by a large central plinth, painted yellow. The remains of some green shelves can be seen. This wing is much more overgrown that the northern side.

History of the spa town

The healing properties of the waters here has been well known since the Roman times. After construction of a new railway in the mid-1800s, the town began to attract more tourists. New hotels and restaurants were added, and the town rapidly rose in popularity. By the early 1900s, the local government filed ambitious plans. It was time to bring the facilities up to the standard of the other established spa towns across Europe. It took 10 years to restore the baths to their former glory, as well as add some more modern touches. At this time many new buildings an amenities appeared, including this Greenhouse Rosa.

Over the following years the baths enjoyed much success, reaching a peak in the 1960s. More spa facilities and buildings were added; planned as an investment to ensure an even brighter future. Sadly trouble began to bubble in the 1970s. A reduction in state funding, and a slowing/cessation of population growth in Italy is cited as factors. Additionally, perhaps thermal spas also simply fell out of fashion.