Spa town
.jpg)
A spa town (also called a bathing-place or simply a spa) is a town situated around a mineral spa (a developed mineral spring). Patrons resorted to spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits. The word comes from the Belgian town Spa. In continental Europe a spa was known as a ville d'eau (town of water). The term spa is used for towns or resorts offering hydrotherapy which can include cold water or mineral water treatments and hot thermal baths.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Australia
Most of the mineral springs in Australia are in the Central Highlands of Victoria, although there are a few springs in South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. Most are within 30 km of Daylesford, Victoria: the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs call themselves the 'Spa Centre of Australia'.[2]
[edit] Belgium
- Chaudfontaine (whose name litterally means "hot spring" in French)
- Ostend
- Spa
[edit] Bosnia and Hercegovina
See: List of spa towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Banja Vrućica, Teslić
[edit] Bulgaria
See: List of spa towns in Bulgaria
Bulgaria is known for its over 500 mineral springs including the hottest spring in the Balkans in Sapareva Banya - 103°C. Other famous spa towns include Sandanski, Hisarya, Bankya, Devin, Kyustendil, Varshets.
In Bulgarian language the word for a spa is баня (transliterated banya).
[edit] Canada
See: List of spa towns in Canada
Harrison Hot Springs is one of the oldest among 18 in British Columbia, along with 2 in Alberta and one in Ontario.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Czech Republic
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.
[edit] 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 among the best known.
[edit] Germany
See: List of spa towns in Germany
In Germany, the word Bad implies a spa town. The most famous spa town in Germany is Baden Baden.
[edit] Hungary
See: List of spa towns in Hungary
In Hungary, the word fürdő, fürdőváros or fürdőhely implies a spa town. Hungary is the capital country of thermal and medicine bath, even in cold, warm or hot water. You can visit plenty of old, Türkish style spas in Budapest or in Eger. The most famous spa town in Hungary is Hévíz. But there are lot countryside spas around: Bogács, Bükkszék, Zsóry, Hajdúszoboszló, Miskolc-tapolca, Bük...
[edit] Poland
See: List of spa towns in Poland
[edit] Portugal
Portugal is well known by famous spa towns including Caldas de Monchique and Pedras Salgadas.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 and Niška Banja. The hottest spring in Serbia is at Vranjska Banja (96°C)[3]
In Serbia, the word Banja implies a spa town.
[edit] New Zealand
[edit] United Kingdom
See: List of spa towns in the United Kingdom
Some but not all British 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.
[edit] United States
- Bath (Berkeley Springs), West Virginia
- Desert Hot Springs, California
- Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Saratoga Springs, New York
- Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
- West Baden Springs, Indiana
[edit] 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 Lithuania - Druskininkai
- 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 - Kúpele
- in Serbia - Banja
- in Spain - Termas or Balneario
- in Turkey - Termal or Kaplica
- in Ukraine
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Healing Waters; Investigative Files (Skeptical Briefs June 2005)". Archived from the original on 2007-10-24. http://web.archive.org/web/20071024180616/http://www.csicop.org/sb/2005-09/i-files.html. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
- ^ http://www.mineralwater.vic.gov.au/quicksite/?id=tourism#activities Victorian Mineral Water Committee Tourism information
- ^ "Reservoir Capital Corp.: 20MW Potential Estimated for the Vranjska Banja Geothermal Project". http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/reservoir-capital-corp-20mw-potential-estimated-vranjska-banja-geothermal-project-tsx-venture-reo-1609489.htm. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Spa towns |
- "Wallonia spas: Step into Belgium's impressive springs - Europe, Travel - Independent.co.uk". The Independent (London). 2007-05-05. http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/wallonia-spas-step-into-belgiums-impressive-springs-447301.html. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
