Spa town

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about a town around a spa. For other uses, see Spa (disambiguation).

The statue of "The crutchbreaker" in the spa town Piešťany (Slovakia) – a symbol of balneotherapy
Print of Spa, Belgium, 1895
Ikaalisten Kylpylä, a spa center in Ikaalinen, Pirkanmaa, Finland

A spa town is a resort town based on a mineral spa (a developed mineral spring). Patrons visit spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits.

Thomas Guidott set up a medical practice in the English town of Bath in 1668. He became interested in the curative properties of the hot mineral waters there and in 1676 wrote A discourse of Bathe, and the hot waters there. Also, Some Enquiries into the Nature of the water. This brought the purported health-giving properties of the waters to the attention of the aristocracy, who started to partake in them soon after.[1]

The term spa is used for towns or resorts offering hydrotherapy, which can include cold water or mineral water treatments and geothermal baths.[2]

Spa towns by country

Argentina

Australia

There are mineral springs in the

Hepburn Springs
call themselves "Spa Country" and the "Spa Centre of Australia".

In

radioactivity and bacterial contamination resulted in the Helidon Spa falling into disuse by 1994. Many towns in Queensland continue to provide bathing facilities fed by hot springs, but these are promoted as relaxing holiday activities rather than as medical treatments.[4]

Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Main article: List of spa towns § Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Slatina Spa
  • Banja Ilidža, a spa town near capital Sarajevo
  • Banja Slatina, Slatina - Slatina is a spa town, well-known as one of the best health resorts for rheumatism in the region. Slatina has a tradition since 1870s.
  • Banja Vrućica, Teslić

Brazil

Main article: List of spa towns § Brazil

Brazil has a growing number of spa towns. The traditional ones are: Águas de Lindoia, Serra Negra, Águas de São Pedro, Caxambu, Poços de Caldas, Caldas Novas, Araxá, and São Lourenço.

Bulgaria

The Roman walls of Hisarya. Many spa towns in Bulgaria have existed since the Roman Empire.
Main article: List of spa towns in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is known for its more than 500 mineral springs, including the hottest spring in the Balkans at Sapareva Banya - 103 °C. Other famous spa towns include Sandanski, Hisarya, Bankya, Devin, Kyustendil, Varshets, Velingrad.

In Bulgarian, the word for a spa is баня (transliterated banya).

Canada

Main article: List of spa towns § Canada

Harrison Hot Springs is one of the oldest among 18 in British Columbia; there are also two in Alberta and one in Ontario.

Croatia

Main article: List of spa towns § Croatia

In Croatia, the word Toplice implies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Croatia are Daruvar, Šibenik and Sisak.

Czech Republic

The spa town of Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad)
Main article: Spa towns in the Czech Republic

In Czech, the word Lázně implies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Czech Republic are the West Bohemian Spa Triangle of Karlovy Vary, Františkovy Lázně and Mariánské Lázně, listed on UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other important spas are Luhačovice, Teplice, Jáchymov, Konstantinovy Lázně, Jeseník, Třeboň, Poděbrady, Bechyně or Velké Losiny.

Finland

Traditionally, Hanko,[5] Rauma[6] and Kalajoki have been considered spa towns. Today there are more than 50 spas (kylpylä) in Finland;[7] some towns known for their spa centers include Ikaalinen, Naantali and Imatra.

France

Main article: List of spa towns in France

In France, the words bains, thermes and eaux in city names often imply a spa town. There are more than 50 spa towns in France, including Vichy, Aix-les-Bains, Bagnoles-de-l'Orne, Dax, and Enghien-les-Bains.

Georgia

Borjomi is one such example in south Georgia.

Germany

Binz on Rugia Island, Germany
Main article: List of spa towns in Germany

In

St. Blasien, Titisee, Tegernsee, Travemünde and Zingst. Wiesbaden
is the largest spa town in Germany.

Greece

Main article: List of spa towns in Greece

The most popular spa towns in Greece are

Loutra Kyllinis, Sidirokastro, Serres, Lakkos Milos, Loutrochori, Aridaia, Pella
(Pozar)

Hungary

Main article: List of spa towns in Hungary

In Hungary, the word fürdő or the more archaic füred ("bath"), fürdőváros ("spa town") or fürdőhely ("bathing place") implies a spa town. Hungary is rich in thermal waters with health benefits, and many spa towns are popular tourist destinations. Budapest has several spas, including Turkish style spas dating back to the 16th century. Eger also has a Turkish spa. Other famous spas include the ones at Hévíz, Harkány, Bük, Hajdúszoboszló, Gyula, Bogács, Bükkszék, Zalakaros, the Cave Bath at Miskolctapolca and the Zsóry-fürdő at Mezőkövesd.

India

Indonesia

Italy

Salsomaggiore Terme, in Northern Italy.
Main article: List of spa towns § Italy

In Italy, spa towns, called città termale (from Latin thermae), are very numerous all over the country because of the intense geological activity of the territory. These places were known and used since the Roman age.

Iraq

Main article: Hamam al-Alil

Japan

Main article: Onsen

Kazakhstan

Luxembourg

Lithuania

  • Druskininkai - is known for mineral springs. The name comes from Lithuanian word druska - salt.
  • Birštonas - is known for mineral springs and curative mud applications.

Netherlands

  • Bad Nieuweschans in the North on the border with Germany, with "Bad" implying a spa town.
  • Valkenburg
    near Maastricht, which wants to be a "city of wellness".

New Zealand

Poland

Main article: List of spa towns in Poland

Most spa towns in Poland are located in the Lesser Poland and Lower Silesian Voivodeships. Some of them have an affix "Zdrój" in their name (written with hyphen or separately), meaning "water spring", to denote their spa status, but this is not a general rule (e.g. Ciechocinek and Inowrocław are spa towns, but do not use the affix).

Portugal

A waterfall in Caldas de Monchique, Algarve (south region of Portugal)

Portugal is well known by famous spa towns throughout of the country.

Due to its high quality, as well as the landscape where are located, the most important ones are:

Romania

Main article: List of spa towns § Romania

In Romania, the word Băile implies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Romania are Băile Herculane, Băile Felix, Mangalia, Covasna, Călimănești & Borsec.

Serbia

Main article: List of spa towns in Serbia

Vrujci, Sokobanja and Niška Banja. The hottest spring in Serbia is at Vranjska Banja (96°C)[8]

In Serbia, the word Banja implies a spa town.

Slovakia

Entrance to the spa in Turčianske Teplice (Slovakia).
Main article: Spa towns in Slovakia

Slovakia is well known by its spa towns. The most famous is the city of Piešťany in Trnava Region. Other notable spa towns in Slovakia include:

Slovenia

Spa towns in Slovenia include Rogaška Slatina, Radenci, Čatež ob Savi, Dobrna, Dolenjske Toplice, Šmarješke Toplice, Moravske Toplice, Rimske Toplice, Laško and Topolšica. They offer accommodation in hotels, apartments, bungalows, and camp sites. The Slovenian words terme or toplice imply a spa town.

Spain

Spa towns in Spain include:

Sweden

Switzerland

Taiwan

Wulai Hot Spring Street in Wulai, New Taipei, Taiwan.

Taiwan is home to a number of towns and cities with tourism infrastructure centered on hot springs. These include:

Turkey

There are several spa towns in Turkey. The most famous of these is Pamukkale, Denizli where the Pamukkale thermal springs are located.

Ukraine

United Kingdom

Main article: List of spa towns in the United Kingdom

Some but not all UK spa towns contain "Spa", "Wells", or "Bath" in their names, e.g., Matlock Bath. Some towns are designated Spa Heritage Towns. Two out of four of the English towns granted the title "Royal", Royal Leamington Spa and Royal Tunbridge Wells, are spa towns.

United States

Terminology

Main article: List of spa towns

Terms used in various countries:

See also

References

  1. doi:10.1039/AP9811800002
    .
  2. ^ "Healing Waters; Investigative Files (Skeptical Briefs June 2005)". Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  3. ^ "VICTORIAN MINERAL SPRINGS: STRATEGIC MASTERPLAN 2015-2024". Victorian Mineral Water Committee. p. 3.
  4. S2CID 39508107. Archived
    (PDF) from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Hangon kylpyläkulttuuri herää henkiin kymmenien vuosien hiljaiselon jälkeen". 16 February 2017.
  6. ^ "Tiesitkö: Rauma oli huikean suosittu kylpyläkaupunki jo 1700-luvulla". 4 September 2014.
  7. ^ "Katso lista kaikista Suomen kylpylöistä – mukana myös kartta". 21 September 2017.
  8. ^ "Reservoir Capital Corp.: 20MW Potential Estimated for the Vranjska Banja Geothermal Project". 23 January 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spa towns.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Spa towns.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spa_town&oldid=1218397437"