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Spa town

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about a town around a spa. For other uses, seeSpa (disambiguation).

The statue of "The crutchbreaker" in the spa townPiešťany(Slovakia) – a symbol of balneotherapy
PrintofSpa,Belgium,1895
Ikaalisten Kylpylä,a spa center inIkaalinen,Pirkanmaa,Finland

Aspa townis aresort townbased on amineral spa(a developedmineral spring). Patrons visit spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits.

Thomas Guidottset up a medical practice in the English town ofBathin 1668. He became interested in the curative properties of the hot mineral waters there and in 1676 wroteA 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 termspais used for towns or resorts offeringhydrotherapy,which can include cold water ormineral watertreatments and geothermal baths.[2]

Spa towns by country[edit]

Argentina[edit]

Australia[edit]

There are mineral springs in theCentral Highlands of Victoria.Most are in and aroundDaylesfordandHepburn Springs.[3]DaylesfordandHepburn Springscall themselves "Spa Country" and the "Spa Centre of Australia".

InQueensland,many towns have mineral springs created byartesian boresinto theGreat Artesian Basin,often the only or primary water supply to the towns. Some of these towns had periods of popularity as spa towns, includingArarmac,Barcaldine,Dalby,Helidon,Innot Hot Springs,andMuckadilla,mostly in the late 1800s and early 1900s when mineral spas were believed to cure various medical conditions. However, the remote locations of most of these towns made them expensive to visit and only small-scale spa facilities developed there. Helidon, a day trip fromBrisbaneby car, was more successful, particularly with growing owernship of cars afterWorld War II.However, concerns aboutradioactivityandbacterialcontaminationresulted 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[edit]

Bosnia and Herzegovina[edit]

Main article:List of spa towns § Bosnia and Herzegovina
TheSlatinaSpa
  • Banja Ilidža,a spa town near capitalSarajevo
  • 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[edit]

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,andSão Lourenço.

Bulgaria[edit]

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

Bulgariais known for its more than 500 mineral springs, including the hottest spring in the Balkans atSapareva Banya- 103 °C. Other famous spa towns includeSandanski,Hisarya,Bankya,Devin,Kyustendil,Varshets,Velingrad.

InBulgarian,the word for a spa isбаня(transliteratedbanya).

Canada[edit]

Main article:List of spa towns § Canada

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

Croatia[edit]

Main article:List of spa towns § Croatia

InCroatia,the wordTopliceimplies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Croatia areDaruvar,ŠibenikandSisak.

Czech Republic[edit]

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

InCzech,the wordLázněimplies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Czech Republic are theWest Bohemian Spa TriangleofKarlovy Vary,Františkovy LázněandMariánské Lázně,listed onUNESCO World Heritage Site.Other important spas areLuhačovice,Teplice,Jáchymov,Konstantinovy Lázně,Jeseník,Třeboň,Poděbrady,BechyněorVelké Losiny.

Finland[edit]

Traditionally,Hanko,[5]Rauma[6]andKalajokihave been considered spa towns. Today there are more than 50 spas (kylpylä) in Finland;[7]some towns known for their spa centers includeIkaalinen,NaantaliandImatra.

France[edit]

Main article:List of spa towns in France

InFrance,the wordsbains,thermesandeauxin city names often imply a spa town. There are more than 50 spa towns in France, includingVichy,Aix-les-Bains,Bagnoles-de-l'Orne,Dax,andEnghien-les-Bains.

Georgia[edit]

Borjomiis one such example in south Georgia.

Germany[edit]

BinzonRugia Island,Germany
Main article:List of spa towns in Germany

InGermany,the wordBadimplies a spa town. Among the many famous spa towns in Germany areBad Aachen,Baden-Baden,Bad Brückenau,Bad Ems,Bad Homburg,Bad Honnef,Bad Kissingen,Bad Kreuznach,Bad Mergentheim,Bad Muskau,Bad Oeynhausen,Bad Pyrmont,Bad Reichenhall,Bad Saarow,Bad Schandau,Bad Schönborn,Bad Segeberg,Bad Soden,Bad Tölz,Bad Wildbad,Bad Wimpfen,Bad Wildstein,Berchtesgaden,Binz,Freudenstadt,Heiligendamm,Heringsdorf,Kampen,Königstein,Radebeul,Schwangau,St. Blasien,Titisee,Tegernsee,TravemündeandZingst.Wiesbadenis the largest spa town in Germany.

Greece[edit]

Main article:List of spa towns in Greece

The most popular spa towns in Greece areAidipsos,Agkistro, Serres,Loutraki,Kamena Vourla,Kimolos,Loutra Kyllinis,Sidirokastro, Serres,LakkosMilos,Loutrochori, Aridaia, Pella(Pozar)

Hungary[edit]

Main article:List of spa towns in Hungary

InHungary,the wordfürdőor the more archaicfüred( "bath" ),fürdőváros( "spa town" ) orfürdőhely( "bathing place" ) implies a spa town. Hungary is rich in thermal waters with health benefits, and many spa towns are popular tourist destinations.Budapesthasseveral spas,including Turkish style spas dating back to the 16th century.Egeralso has a Turkish spa. Other famous spas include the ones atHévíz,Harkány,Bük,Hajdúszoboszló,Gyula,Bogács,Bükkszék,Zalakaros,theCave BathatMiskolctapolcaand the Zsóry-fürdő atMezőkövesd.

India[edit]

Indonesia[edit]

Italy[edit]

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

InItaly,spa towns, calledcittà termale(from Latinthermae), 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[edit]

Main article:Hamam al-Alil

Japan[edit]

Main article:Onsen

Kazakhstan[edit]

Luxembourg[edit]

Lithuania[edit]

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

Netherlands[edit]

  • Bad Nieuweschansin the North on the border with Germany, with "Bad" implying a spa town.
  • Valkenburgnear Maastricht, which wants to be a "city of wellness".

New Zealand[edit]

Poland[edit]

Main article:List of spa towns in Poland

Most spa towns in Poland are located in theLesser PolandandLower SilesianVoivodeships. Some of them have an affix "Zdrój"in their name (written withhyphenor separately), meaning "water spring", to denote their spa status, but this is not a general rule (e.g.CiechocinekandInowrocławare spa towns, but do not use the affix).

Portugal[edit]

A waterfall inCaldas de Monchique,Algarve(south region ofPortugal)

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[edit]

Main article:List of spa towns § Romania

InRomania,the wordBăileimplies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Romania areBăile Herculane,Băile Felix,Mangalia,Covasna,Călimănești&Borsec.

Serbia[edit]

Main article:List of spa towns in Serbia

Serbiais known for its many spa cities. Some of the best known springs are theVrnjačka Banja,Bukovička Banja,Vrujci,SokobanjaandNiška Banja.The hottest spring in Serbia is atVranjska Banja(96°C)[8]

In Serbia, the wordBanjaimplies a spa town.

Slovakia[edit]

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

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

Slovenia[edit]

Spa towns inSloveniaincludeRogaška Slatina,Radenci,Čatež ob Savi,Dobrna,Dolenjske Toplice, Šmarješke Toplice,Moravske Toplice,Rimske Toplice,LaškoandTopolšica.They offer accommodation in hotels, apartments, bungalows, and camp sites. The Slovenian wordstermeortopliceimply a spa town.

South Africa[edit]

Spa towns inSouth Africainclude:

Spain[edit]

Spa towns inSpaininclude:

Sweden[edit]

Switzerland[edit]

Taiwan[edit]

Wulai Hot Spring Street inWulai, New Taipei,Taiwan.

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

Turkey[edit]

There are several spa towns inTurkey.The most famous of these is Pamukkale, Denizli where thePamukkale thermal springsare located.

Ukraine[edit]

United Kingdom[edit]

Main article:List of spa towns in the United Kingdom

Some but not allUKspa 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 SpaandRoyal Tunbridge Wells,are spa towns.

United States[edit]

Terminology[edit]

Main article:List of spa towns

Terms used in various countries:

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^Burns, D. Thorburn (1981). "Thomas Guidott (1638–1705): Physician and Chymist, contributor to the analysis of mineral waters".Analytical Proceedings.18(1): 2–6.doi:10.1039/AP9811800002.
  2. ^"Healing Waters; Investigative Files (Skeptical Briefs June 2005)".Archived fromthe originalon 24 October 2007.Retrieved3 February2008.
  3. ^"VICTORIAN MINERAL SPRINGS: STRATEGIC MASTERPLAN 2015-2024".Victorian Mineral Water Committee. p. 3.
  4. ^Griggs, Peter (2013).""Taking the waters": mineral springs, artesian bores and health tourism in Queensland, 1870-1950 "(PDF).Queensland Review.20(2). Cambridge University Press: 157–158, 169.doi:10.1017/qre.2013.18.S2CID39508107.Archived(PDF)from the original on 21 September 2017.Retrieved20 July2022.
  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.Retrieved3 February2012.
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