Pompeo della Barba – Scholar and physician

Born in Pescia in 1521, Pompeo della Barba completed his studies at the University of Pisa where he obtained a doctorate in medicine, presumably between 1543 and 1548.

If in the first part of his life he devoted himself to philosophy and literature, from the 1550s he also acquired fame as a skilled doctor.

His patients were countless, and many of high rank. In 1559, Cardinal Angelo de' Medici, whom he had treated, elected Pope with the name of Pius IV, called him to Rome as papal archiater, a position that Della Barba held until the death of his protector in December 1565.

In the last years of his life he wrote a treatise on the Baths of Montecatini entitled De balneis Montis Catini commentarius which, written, at least in its last draft, after 1566 and dedicated to Pius IV, was published for the first time, posthumously and mutilated, by Dr. Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti in the third volume of his Relations of some journeys made in different parts of Tuscany... (Florence 1751)

Della Barba speaks extensively of the applications of the waters of Montecatini to various illnesses and makes it clear that the establishments at the time were not in good condition.

He shows that he knows the qualities of the Montecatini waters very well and sings the praises of them for the treatment of many ailments.

In the volume he focuses mainly on the benefits brought by the waters of Tettuccio and Rinfresco and says little about those of Bagno dei Merli (later Leopoldine) and Bagno dei Cavalli (later Bagno Regio).

According to Targioni-Tozzetti who dedicates to him – as to others (Ugolino da Montecatini, Michele Gaetano Livi, etc) – brief biographical and professional notes, Pompeo della Barba was the first to carry out some chemical tests on the waters, tests that the writer describes as “light” probably due to the limited means available at the time.

After the death of the Pope, Della Barba returned to his hometown where he continued his activity as a doctor, and, as shown by the registers of the Community of Pescia, took part in public life.

He died in Pescia on March 4, 1582.