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Soak up the waters in Budapest, a city famous for its health and thermal spas.
One of the special things about Budapest is the prevalence of thermal springs right in the centre of the city; around 120 springs and boreholes supply the city’s spas and baths with more than 15 million gallons of water daily, ranging in temperature from 21-78°degrees C.
Along the Danube, at the meeting point of the Buda Hills and the Great Plain, a geological fault causes thermal springs to bubble to the surface. This beneficial feature of the area was recognised very early by the people who settled down here. The Celtic tribes, which inhabited the region in the 1st century, named it "ak-luk", which means abundant water. The Romans called the province Aquincum, (aqua also means water) and 14 Roman baths have been excavated in the Buda area. The Hungarians quickly discovered the medicinal effects of the water and took advantage of them.
The palatial Gellért Spa is one of the best known and most favoured among the thermal baths of Budapest. Part of the art nouveau style Hotel Gellért, which was built in 1918, it is full of Roman style columns and elaborate mosaics including a gold dome and other oriental decoration. During the Turkish occupation of Hungary in the 15th century a bath house was built on this spot.
Most of Budapest’s thermal baths are reminiscent of Turkish mosques or Roman temples, with indoor baths, swimming pool and an open-air section. The thermal water is said to cure nervous system problems, respiratory diseases and locomotor disorders. However visitors and Hungarians alike crowd into these social gathering spots to relax, take the waters and soak up the atmosphere. You can even endure a massage with a masseuse who looks like a former in the Communist army. Then jump from the hot water to the freezing cold shower and after, the steam room; just the thing to make you feel like an invincible Roman or Turk.
Definitely worth a visit, but be sure to follow it up with a stop at the legendary olde-worlde Hungarian café Gerbaud’s for some of their wonderful Hungarian style chocolate torte….
Copyright ©Karen Halabi 2007 Story and images
- Article can be tailored to editorial requirements.
- Images of Budapest and its spas available on request from author.
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