The Panteraie

When talking about Le Panteraie, one cannot fail to mention Pietro Porcinai (Florence 1910 - 1986), who designed the original project together with the architect Maurizio Tempestini.

The works began in 1955 and the opening to the public took place in July 1956.

The great attraction of the inauguration was Esther Williams, the famous American swimming champion who became a film actress famous for the technicolor musicals of the 1940s and 1950s.

The swimming pool, called “Lido di Montecatini”, was the jewel in the crown of the entire complex.

The official inauguration took place on September 1st in the presence of Minister Giulio Andreotti.

Over time, the work of the great Florentine landscape architect has been heavily distorted due to numerous structuring and integration interventions carried out over the years.

But the complex created by the two professionals is still visible in a drawing by Giorgio De Chirico, The Montecatini swimming pool, ca. 1960, pencil and ink on cardboard, 29.5 x 39.5 cm (Province of Pistoia Collection), a regular guest of Montecatini also due to his friendship with Luigi Russo, owner of the famous Barcaccia art gallery located in Viale IV Novembre.

At the Tettuccio - which in Montecatini cannot be missed! - with the hanging garden set up by Pietro Porcinai (Florence 1910 - 1986) LINK TO CARD on the roof of a newly constructed building used to accommodate 520 bathrooms necessary for the operation of the Establishment. The great Tuscan landscape artist worked extensively in the city for both public and private clients. His work includes the arrangement of Viale Verdi, the Rock Garden in Montecatini Alto and the design of the gardens of many private villas, such as the current Dino Scalabrino Art Academy and the Villino in Via Magenta n. 5, both commissioned by Dino Scalabrino, Health Director of the Spa and President of the Health and Holiday Company. To learn more about Pietro Porcinai http://pietroporcinai.it/

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