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Woman relaxing in spa in Hungary 1936

The statue of "A man breaking a walking crutch" in the spa town Piešťany (Slovakia) – a symbol of balneotherapy

Print of Spa, Belgium, 1895

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. The word spa is derived from the name of Spa, a town in Belgium.

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

Termas de Rio Hondo

Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña

Australia

Most of the mineral springs in Australia are in the Central Highlands of Victoria, although there are a few springs in South Australia, Moree, New South Wales and Queensland. Most are within 30 km of Daylesford, Victoria: the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs call themselves 'Spa Country' and the 'Spa Centre of Australia'.^[3]

Belgium

Chaudfontaine (whose name literally means "hot fountain" in French)

Ostend

Spa

Bosnia and Herzegovina

See: List of spa towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Banja Vrućica, Teslić

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.

See: 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, Velingard.

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

Canada

See: List of spa towns in 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

See: List of spa towns in Croatia

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

Czech Republic

A spa town Mariánské Lázně

See: Spa towns in the Czech Republic

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

France

See: 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.

Germany

Binz on Rugia Island, Germany

See: List of spa towns in Germany

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 Pyrmont, Bad Reichenhall, Bad Saarow, Bad Schandau, Bad Segeberg, Bad Soden, Bad Tölz, Bad Wildbad, 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

See: List of spa towns in Greece

The most famous spa towns in Greece are Aidipsos and Loutraki.

Hungary

See: 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.

Indonesia

Bali

Batam

Italy

Salsomaggiore Terme, in Northern Italy.

See: List of spa towns in 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.

Luxembourg

Mondorf-les-Bains

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

Rotorua

Hanmer Springs

Ngawha Springs

Poland

See: 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:

Caldas da Rainha

Caldas das Taipas

Caldas de Monchique

Caldas de Vizela

Pedras Salgadas

Vidago

Chaves

Sao Pedro do Sul

Caldas da Felgueira located in Viseu District, and 5km from Nelas town.

Romania

See: List of spa towns in 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

See: List of spa towns in Serbia

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)^[4]

In Serbia, the word Banja implies a spa town.

Slovakia

Entrance to the spa in Turčianske Teplice (Slovakia).

See: Spa towns in Slovakia

Slovakia is well known by its spa towns. The most famous is Piešťany.
The most important spa towns in Slovakia are:

Bardejovské Kúpele

Dudince

Liptovský Ján

Lúčky

Piešťany

Rajecké Teplice

Kúpele Sliač

Smrdáky

Trenčianske Teplice

Turčianske Teplice

Bojnice

Slovenia

Spa towns in Slovenia include Rogaška Slatina, Radenci, Čatež ob Savi, Dobrna, Dolenjske Toplice, Šmarješke Toplice and Moravske Toplice. 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:

Alhama de Aragon

Panticosa in the high Pyrenees

Archena

Caldes d'Estrac

Caldes de Montbui

Riofrío^{[disambiguation needed]}

Caldes de Malavella

Lanjarón

A Toxa, an island-spa in northwestern Galicia.

Mondariz

Arnedillo

Zestoa

Karrantza

Montemayor

Caldas de Luna

Switzerland

Baden

Bad Ragaz (Ragatz, also known as "Old Baths Pfäfers" or "Old Baths of Pfäfersin)

Davos

Lavey-les-Bains

Leukerbad

Schinznach Bad

Yverdon-les-Bains

Zurzach

Ragatz

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:

Jiaoxi, Yilan

Wulai, New Taipei

Ukraine

Morshyn

Truskavets

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

United States

Chena Hot Springs, Alaska

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Desert Hot Springs, California

Palm Springs, California

Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Warm Springs, Georgia

West Baden Springs, Indiana

Mount Clemens, Michigan

Excelsior Springs, Missouri

Jemez Springs, New Mexico

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico

Gila Hot Springs, New Mexico

Ballston Spa, New York

Saratoga Springs, New York

Hot Springs, North Carolina

Hot Springs, South Dakota

Mineral Wells, Texas

Warm Springs, Virginia

Connell, Washington

Bath (Berkeley Springs), West Virginia

Waukesha, Wisconsin

Saratoga, Wyoming

Thermopolis, Wyoming

Other countries

See: List of spa towns

in the Arab world - Hammam

in Australia

in Belgium -

in Bulgaria - Bani

in Chile - Termas

in Croatia - Toplice

in Cyprus - Loutra-Therma

in the Czech Republic - Lázně

in Ethiopia - Filwoha

in France - Bains, thermes

in Georgia -

in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland - Bad, the first part of the names of most spa towns, a cognate to the English "bath" while "Therme" is used for the spa itself.

in Greece - Loutra-Therma

in Hungary - fürdő or -füred

in Italy - Terme

in Iran - "Cheshme Ab-e-Garm" or "Cheshme Ab-e-Madani"

in Jamaica -

in Japan - Onsen

in Korea - 온천 or 사우나

in Latvia - Jūrmala

in Malaysia - Poring

in Mexico- Termas or Balneario

in New Zealand - Rotorua

in Peru - Cuzco, Cajamarca

in Poland - Krynica-Zdrój

in Portugal - Caldas or Termas

in Russia - Минеральные воды or Лечебные воды

in Romania - Băile

in Slovakia - Liečebné kúpele

in Serbia - Banja

in Spain - Termas or Balneario

in Turkey - Termal or Kaplica

in Ukraine - Лікувальні води

References

^ Burns, D. Thorburn (1981). "Thomas Guidott (1638–1705): Physician and Chymist, contributor to the analysis of mineral waters". Analytical Proceedings including Analytical Communications: Royal Society of Chemistry. 18 (1): 2–6. doi:10.1039/AP9811800002. Retrieved 10 December 2007..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}

^ "Healing Waters; Investigative Files (Skeptical Briefs June 2005)". Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2008.

^ https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/victorian-mineral-water-committee-strategic-master-plan/ Victorian Mineral Water Committee Tourism information

^ "Reservoir Capital Corp.: 20MW Potential Estimated for the Vranjska Banja Geothermal Project". Retrieved 3 February 2012.

External links

"Wallonia spas: Step into Belgium's impressive springs - Europe, Travel - Independent.co.uk". The Independent. London. 5 May 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2008.

[1] Burns, D. Thorburn (1981). "Thomas Guidott (1638–1705): Physician and Chymist, contributor to the analysis of mineral waters". Analytical Proceedings including Analytical Communications: Royal Society of Chemistry. 18 (1): 2–6. doi:10.1039/AP9811800002. Retrieved 10 December 2007..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}

[2] "Healing Waters; Investigative Files (Skeptical Briefs June 2005)". Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2008.

[3] ttps://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/victorian-mineral-water-committee-strategic-master-plan/ Victorian Mineral Water Committee Tourism information

[4] "Reservoir Capital Corp.: 20MW Potential Estimated for the Vranjska Banja Geothermal Project". Retrieved 3 February 2012.

Spa town

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