- A UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Great Spa Towns of Europe is a unique heritage property made of a group of 11 spa towns.
- Out of the hundreds across the continent, these 11 are the most authentic examples of the European spa phenomenon (18th – 20th centuries).
To be included in the group, the spa town needs to run as a working spa town today. Readers may be interested inbathing in thermal springs as winter approaches, with the extra layer of history, heritage and culture that goes with a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Alongside bathing, ‘taking the cure’ includes drinking mineral water, strolling through the therapeutic spa landscape, socialising and more. It is a holistic practice.
Our ancestors viewed this in a medical sense, but now we see it as part of our World Heritage and a phenomenon that helped shape European culture today.
Thermal springs can be found in
The City of Bath, UK. Thermae Bath Spa has a sensational rooftop pool which looks very atmospheric as the steam rises on cold days. You can also soak in the thermal waters just around the corner in the Spa Village at The Gainsborough Bath Spa.
Bad Ems, Germany. The Emser Thermae makes use of the town’s natural thermal springs with 7 pools at different temperatures. There’s also a Sidroga herbal steam bath and Emser salt inhalation rooms, which is a local tradition in Bad Ems.
Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. Near Prague, Karlovy Vary is full of hot geysers that shoot up to 12m high. 20% of the town’s hot mineral water goes to the Elizabeth Bath, built in 1906 after the Empress Elizabeth. The Saunia Thermal Resort has a year-round outdoor thermal pool with magnificent views over the picturesque Czech town. You can also go on a tour underneath one of the hot springs to see how the water creates crystallised souvenirs, including the iconic Stone Roses.
Spa, Belgium. The town where we get the word ‘spa’ from has a thermal spa atop a hill. Take the red funicular up to Thermes de Spa, where the iron-rich thermal waters (which form bubbles on your skin) source indoor and outdoor pools within the green High Fens habitat.
Source: THE GREAT SPA TOWNS OF EUROPE