Széchenyi thermal bath

Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Széchenyi Thermal Bath
Location	City Park, Budapest, Hungary
Built	1913
Architect	Győző Czigler

"Széchenyi fürdő" redirects here. For the metro station, see Széchenyi fürdő (Budapest Metro).

The Széchenyi Medicinal Bath in Budapest (IPA: [seːtʃeːɲi], Hungarian: Széchenyi-gyógyfürdő) is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Its water is supplied by two thermal springs, their temperature is 74 °C (165 °F) and 77 °C (171 °F), respectively.

Components of the thermal water include sulphate, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate and a significant amount of fluoride acid and metaboric acid. Medical indications are on degenerative joint illnesses, chronic and sub-acute joint inflammations, as well as orthopaedic and traumatological post-treatments.^[1]

History [edit]

The bath can be found in the City Park, and was built in 1913 in Neo-baroque style to the design of Győző Czigler.^[2] The construction of the bath began on 7 May 1909. Designed by architect Eugene Schmitterer, The bath, named in the news as the Artesian spa, opened on 16 June 1913. The name of bath had been Széchenyi spa. The pool construction cost approximately 3.9 million Austro-Hungarian korona. The built-up area was 6,220 square meter. The attendance of spa was in excess of 200,000 people in 1913. (This number was already 890,507 in 1919). At that time it had private baths, separate men and women steam-bath sections, and different men / women "public baths". The complex was expanded in 1927, and it still has 3 outdoor and 15 indoor pools. After its expansion, the thermal artesian well could not fulfill its purpose, so a new well was drilled. The second thermal spring was found in 1938. The depth of the thermal spring is 1256m, the temperature is 77 °C and it supplies 6.000.000 litres (1 585 032 US gallons) of hot water daily. ^[3] Between 1999 and 2009 the full reformation of the Széchenyi thermal bath took place within the confines of a blanket reconstruction.

Main swimming and thermal sections are possible to visit mixed. The bath was named after István Széchenyi.

Units [edit]

The bath during the day

In the baths there are pools of varying temperature. The outdoor pools (swimming pool, adventure pool and thermal sitting pool) are 27- 38°C. The swimming pool's depth is 0.8 - 1.7 m. The adventure pool's depth is 0.8 m. Guests can use the water streaming, whirlpool and massaging water beamand. The indoor pools are 27°C.^[4] The complex also includes saunas and steam. Massage services are available.

Treatments [edit]

Széchenyi thermal baths offer a range of medical services. The classic medical massage is the Swedish massage, which uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee over a period of eight weeks. Types of Massage therapy in the bath: Refreshing Massage, Luxury Manager Massage, Deluxe Massage, Harmony Massage.

Spas and Nightlife [edit]

Budapest is known for its baths as well as its vibrant electronic music scene, club culture and nightlife, so it seems natural to combine these to for a series of unique programs such as Cinetrip Sparty and Fürdők Éjszakája (Spa Nights). The Széchenyi, along with other spas serves as a venue for these parties, so partygoers can enjoy the bath facilities while listening to concerts and dj sets. Visitors must wear swimming attire when attending, only individuals of 18 years or older are allowed.

Useful information [edit]

Towel is not included in the entrance ticket. Towels and swimsuits can be rented or bought in the spa. On weekends and holidays the entrance fee is higher than on weekdays.

Prices [edit]

In February 2012 the prices varied between 3400 and 3950 HUF. Discount is not available for children and seniors. Components of the thermal water is not recommended for pregnant women and children. Massage is charged extra, 4000 HUF (basic massage). A visitors ticket (15 minutes guided tour) can be purchased for 1550 HUF. From January 2013 the ticket price is 4500 HUF. From February 2013 the ticket price is 4100 HUF with a locker or 4600 HUF with a cabin

Transportation [edit]

It can be reached by public transport, metro line 1 (yellow line) from Vörösmarty square.(It is also a station of the yellow M1 (Millennium Underground) line of the Budapest Metro) or the trolleybus 72. From downtown, the bath is a few hundred metres beyond Heroes Square.