Spa town

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

File:Colorful, mirror Fortepan 716.jpg
Woman looking in the mirror at a spa in Hungary, 1939
File:Bad Pöstyén.jpg
The statue of "The crutchbreaker" in the spa town Piešťany (Slovakia) – a symbol of balneotherapy
Print of Spa, Belgium, 1895
File:Ikaalisten kylpylä 2.jpg
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]

Argentina

Australia

There are mineral springs in the Central Highlands of Victoria. Most are in and around Daylesford and Hepburn Springs. [3]Daylesford and Hepburn Springs call themselves 'Spa Country' and the 'Spa Centre of Australia'.

In Queensland, many towns have mineral springs created by artesian bores into the Great Artesian Basin, often the only or primary water supply to the towns. Some of these towns had periods of popularity as spa towns, including Ararmac, Barcaldine, Dalby, Helidon, Innot Hot Springs, and Muckadilla, 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 from Brisbane by car, was more successful, particularly with growing owernship of cars after World War II. However, concerns about 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

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

  • 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

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

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.

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

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

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

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

Croatia

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

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 Mariánské Lázně

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

In Czech, the word Lázně implies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Czech Republic are Teplice and the West Bohemian Spa Triangle of Karlovy Vary, Františkovy Lázně and Mariánské Lázně.

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

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

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

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

In Germany, the word Bad implies a spa town. Among the many famous spa towns in Germany are Bad 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, Travemünde and Zingst. Wiesbaden is the largest spa town in Germany.

Greece

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

The most popular spa towns in Greece are Aidipsos, Agkistro, Serres, Loutraki, Kamena Vourla, Kimolos, Loutra Kyllinis, Sidirokastro, Serres, Lakkos Milos, Loutrochori, Aridaia, Pella (Pozar)

Hungary

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

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.

Indonesia

Italy

Salsomaggiore Terme, in Northern Italy.

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

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.

Japan

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

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

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

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

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

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

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

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

Serbia is known for its many spa cities. Some of the best known springs are the Vrnjačka Banja, Bukovička Banja, 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

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

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

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

Ukraine

United Kingdom

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

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 three of the English towns granted the title "Royal", Royal Leamington Spa and Royal Tunbridge Wells, are spa towns.

United States

Terminology

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

Terms used in various countries:

See also

References

  1. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.