Terme di Caronte - the free gurna

About Terme di Caronte - the free gurna

The Terme di Caronte, in the Sambiase area of Lamezia Terme, are among the oldest in Calabria, and their name evokes Charon, the ferryman of souls in Hades. As well as the modern paid spa, a short distance away there is a free pool that Calabrians call a "gurna": a public basin fed by the sulphur spring, very popular with locals.

The water comes out at around 39 °C, an ideal temperature for a relaxing soak in any season. The gurna is about three hundred metres from the spa entrance and easy to reach from the car park. One special feature of the place is a nearby stream of cold water: the contrast between hot and cold, just a few steps apart, is part of the charm of the Terme di Caronte.

Being free and well known, the gurna is often crowded, especially in the summer months and at weekends. To enjoy it more peacefully, choose weekdays, the early morning or the shoulder seasons. On OpenStreetMap the pool is listed as public and donation-based.

There are no dedicated changing rooms or showers: arrive with your swimsuit on, bring a towel and some fresh water to rinse off. The smell of sulphur is strong and stays on your skin for a while. As with all hot sulphurous waters, anyone with heart or blood pressure problems should ask a doctor and not stay in for long.

Lamezia Terme is also a convenient base for exploring Calabria's Tyrrhenian coast: the airport is close by and you can quickly reach Pizzo, with its castle and famous tartufo ice cream, and the coast around Tropea.

The gurna is a public pool that survives thanks to the respect of those who use it: leaving the place clean, not hogging the pool for hours when people are waiting and keeping your voice down are small gestures that make a difference. If you find a donation box, a small contribution helps keep the place open to everyone.