Health Resorts and Watering Places
Bﾄナle Herculane
One of the most popular resorts in Romania are the spa resorts. Today, Romania has almost 70 spa resorts, due to the high number of hot springs from all over the area of the country. Bﾄナle FELIX It is placed in the Crisurilor Depression, Bihor county. First of all, Baile Felix have been famous for decades for their hot springs surrounding the area, and secondly for the treatments and recovery programs which the resort offers. The temperature of the geothermal waters from Baile Felix may vary between 45 and 112 degrees Celsius.
It is situated in Banat, in Cernei Valley. The origin of the Herculane resort has been discussed almost over two millennia. Aware of the curative properties of the waters, Romanian people had built here, at the Therme Herculi, temples, baths, monuments and statues, dedicated to the gods. Taking into consideration the high temperature of these spa waters (38-60 degrees C) and their healing qualities, these have become an ultimate therapeutic value.
Ocna Sibiului It is situated in Sibiu county. In 1598, king Rudolf the 2nd’s ambassador accredited around Mihai Viteazu, notices the therapeutic effects of the lakes. For the first time in 1820, there was effectuated a testing on the water from chemical point of view, as for the official opening of the Ocna Sibiului Resort in 1820. It is rich in numerous saline lakes, some of them declared monuments of nature.
Sovata
It is placed in Mures county, and it was mentioned as a therapeutic place for the first time in a document in 1597. In the XVIIIth century, the habitants of Sovata village and surroundings had used saline water for thermae, but it became a real spa resort later in 1850.
Turda
Covasna
It is situated in Cluj County, on the Ariesului Valley, in a hilly area. The thermae dating from the Roman period had been mentioned already in the Middle Ages, being in use until the end of the XVIIth century, under the name of ‘ The Salinas from Turda’. The Roman lake was dragged, the borders were solidified, and the swimming pools of hot springs were rebuilt.
Situated in Covasna county, it has been known for a very long time, since it has been famous for ‘The Devil’s Pond’, which is mainly known for its sizz water and ashen sediment breaking surface. Covasna is one of the richest resorts in hot springs, with a large physicochemical variety of its composition.
Geoagiu-Băi
It is situated in Hunedoara county. The use of waters had become regular, mainly at the beginning of the XXth century, when the first hydropathic equipments had been set up. The term of ‘gift of Metalliferous’ can be interpreted either as a symbol of rich minerals from the depth of the ground, or as an expression of the multiple qualities of its hot springs.
Buziaș
It is situated in Timis county. The hot springs had been developed for treatments since 1811. Buzias was officially declared a real spa resort in 1819, when 5 springs had been exploited. In 1840 started the water bottling, and in 1874 was built the first hot spring resort.
Bﾄナle Govora
It is situated in Valcea county. Hot springs from Baile Govora have been therapeutically used since 1879, the treatment taking place in trays (A shallow flat receptacle with a raised edge or rim, used for carrying, holding, or displaying articles), installed in cells at Govora monestery nearby.
Bﾄナle 1 Mai It is situated in Bihor county. The therapeutic effects of these waters were discovered many years ago. The first treatment centers were built between 1950-1960. Since 1978 the resort has been permanently developed. Baile 1 Mai has become famous for its hot springs and sediment gotten from the lake, which is situated in the resort, utilised for the treatment of rheumatic diseases, nervous system diseases and gynecological diseases.
MINERAL SPRINGS FROM ROMANIA Mineral springs are waters which variably contain salts, gases, nutritients, radioactive elements, which offer therapeutical properties to these waters. Mineral springs are largely outspread in nature. Their genesis is strongly linked to the existence of fissures, of the tuffacious relief, and also to the existence of large oil drilling areas, coal, fire-damp and salt. The most important property of the mineral springs comes from the precipitations which get deep inside the earth shell, where reemergence is produced, loaded with a certain quantity of gas and minerals, and in some cases with higher temperatures or even with a certain level of radioactivity. The most common salts existing in the contents of waters are chlorine, bicarbonates, sulphids, sulphates and phosphates. Among the gases, the most frequent is carbon dioxide, which produces the carbonated waters.
Studies have shown that Romania holds near 60% of European mineral water reserves, and exploits just 20% thereof. Important resorts have been developed around some of these springs. Mineral waters represent the main natural factor in the treatment of several diseases. Mineral waters in Romania represent a large hydrochemical variety. Usually, the carbon dioxid concentration of mineral waters in the country is between : 1100 mg/l and a little over 3000 mg/l.
NATURAL MINERAL WATER SOURCES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE 1. Govora is one of the richest resorts in ionized and bromine waters in Europe. It has been declared the second in Europe, after Pechelepronne, Alsace. These waters do not contain hydrogen sulfide, being well stored in sondes, the depth sensor being installed at 901860 m.
2. Borsa is rich in carbonated mineral waters , or containing iron, calcium, magnesium, highly recommended in the the alimentary canal chronic illness treatment and in the nephritic diseases treatment, but also in the asthenic neurosis and in the respiratory disturbances tratments.
3. Borsec is situated at an altitude of 900 m. It is an old resort (known since 1804) rich in numerous carbonated mineral waters, or containing calcium or magnesium. These waters are famous for their propitious effects since the second half of the XVIth century. The therapeutic effects of these mineral springs have been appreciated worldwide. The Borsec Resort is highly recommended for cardiovascular diseases treatment, endocrine diseases, digestive diseases, renal disturbances and those of the urinary system, asthenic neurosis, dermatological diseases and nutrition disorders, etc.
4. Baile Tusnad, with numerous mineral water springs (well known since the beginning of the XIXth century), is highly recommended for the central nervous system diseases treatment (physical and emotional stress ), for cardiovascular diseases, for the urinary system diseases and for other diseases related to those mentioned above like: digestive diseases, endocrine diseases, gynecological diseases, etc.
5. Casin – mineral water exploitation from this resort started in 1888 being commercialized all over the country, but also abroad like: Wien, Berlin, etc). Here one can find bicarbonate mineral water (containing acid carbonate).
6. Covasna – numerous springs (near 1.000) with carbonated mineral watersare recommended in cardiovascular diseases, hepato-biliary dysfunction diseases treatment, digestive diseases and other diseases related to the above mentioned.
7. Slanic Molodova Resort - was discovered in 1801, where the resort itself was built and developed. The quality of these mineral waters discovered in the area, has been appreciated with medals, earned at the international exhibition in Paris, Wien, Frankfurt/Main, etc. Scientits have compared them with mineral waters from Karlovy Vary, Aix-les-Bains, etc. Slanic Moldova offers treatment for digestive disorders, hepato-biliary diseases, metabolic and nutritional diseases, kidney and urinary diseases. The mineral water-cure from Slanic Moldova helps with degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis diseases , cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, endocrine diseases treatment, gynecological diseases treatment and other diseases.
8. Calimanesti-Caciulata spring waters are highly recommended for digestive diseases treatment, hepato-biliary diseases, renal and urinary system diseases , metabolic and nutritional disturbances, respiratory infections, peripheral nervous system diseases, rheumatic disease sydromes, posttraumatic syndromes (such as sprains, dislocations, fractures), gynecological diseases, oto-rhino laryngology diseases, dermatological diseases, cardiovascular diseases and so on.
9. Herculane is the oldest resort in Romania, and finds its origins back in the Roman period, when it was called ‚At Hercule’s sacred waters’ ( certified documentary as a resort in 153 b.C.). This resort is famous for its spring waters’ therapeutic effects, slightly radioactive, beneficial both for internal and external treatment. These mineral waters have complex physiological effects and an incomparable therapeutic value, because of their high temperature (38-60 degrees C) and the multitudinous level of mineralization (3166-7426 mg/l). This water is recommended for degenerative rheumatic diseases, inflammatory and joints diseases, peripheral nervous system diseases (paralysis), and also for similar diseases.
10. Moneasa is situated in the western side of Romania. Carbonated mineral water springs are recommended for degenerative rheumatic diseases treatment, diarthrosis, peripheral and central nervous system diseases, gynecological diseases, metabolic and nutrition disorders treatment, etc.
11. Lacu Sarat Resort contains important gyttja reserves and hypertonic mineral water, which are used for degenerative rheumatic diseases, inflamatory diseases, gynecological, dermatological, endocrine diseases, peripheral nervous system diseases, post-traumatic syndromes ( such as muscles, ligaments and joints, dislocations and fractures), and respiratory diseases.
12. Amara. The water from this lake (156 ha) is salted, containing gyttja with therapeutic properties , which has led to the development of the resort since 1900. The resort is recommended for degenerative rheumatic diseases treatment and inflamatory rheumatic diseases, gynecological diseases and various other dysfunctions.
14. Sangeorz-Bai. Currently, bottled carbonated mineral waters are exploited from 135-150 m depth.
15. Zizin Resort. The mineral water intended for consumption is bicarbonated soda water.
13. Biborteni Resort provides the Biborteni mineral water. Due to the high content of ionized iron, iron is removed from the mineral water beforehand.
HOT SPRINGS Hot springs are natural springs with water temperatures above their surroundings, being the result of the volcanic processes. Usually, the water temperature of a hot spring is usually 20 and 63 degrees Celsius, or more above mean air temperature. In the active volcanic zones, water may be heated by coming into contact with magma at different depths, and the heated mineral-rich water is coming to surface. Romania has many hot springs locations, mainly in the Western part of the country. The most important geothermal exploitations from this area are from North to South: Satu Mare, Tasnad, Acas, Marghita, Sacuieni, Salonta, Curtici, Lovrin, Tomnatic, Sannicolau Mare, Jimbolia and Timisoara.
Thermal springs in Romania
Baile Acas is situated in Satu Mare county in an atractive area, ideal for balneary tourism. Here the thermal springs rich the temperature of 46 degrees Celsius. Thermal springs from this resort are beneficial for rheumatic, inflamatory and degenerative diseases, for post-traumatic stress disorders, neurological disorders, nutrition and gynecological diseases.
Turt Bai. These waters contain chlorine, sulphur, calcium and magnesium and are beneficial for rheumatic and gynecological diseases.
In Ady Endre village, thermal water springs, with the temperature of 72 degrees Celsius. These waters contain chlorine and natrium and are highly recommended for rheumatic diseases, but also for endocrine and gynecological diseases.
Carei is also a balneo-climateric resort. Here you can find both mineral and thermal springs. Thermal waters have 52 degrees Celsius temperature, containing chlorine, iodine, natrium, calcium and magnesium.
Baile Beltiug is situated at 35 km distance from Satu Mare and has thermal water springs, with the temperature of 70 degrees Celsius. Waters contain oligominerals, natrium, calcium, magnesium and are recommended for rheumatic and gynecological diseases treatment.
Baile Boghis has both mineral and thermal waters. Thermal waters have the temperature of 42 degrees Celsius and are recommended for the locomotive system diseases treatment, the nervous system and gynecological diseases treatment.
Baile Baita is situated in Cluj county. One can find here thermal waters recommended for dermatological diseases, rheumatic, gynecological and locomotive system diseases treatment.
The Geoagiu Bai thermal resort from Hunedoara county is well known since the traco-dacic period and represents a key point for thermal springs in Romania. During the Roman occupation, thermal springs are captivated, developed and used for medical purposes. After the Romans retreated until the XVIth century, there hadn’t been any notifications regarding the resort, which means that the springs were temporary abandoned. Commonly treated diseases at Geoagiu-Bai: chronic rheumatism, posttraumatic joints diseases, peripheral neurological disorders, gynecological diseases, dermatological diseases, endocrine, cardiovascular diseases, etc.
Baile Tasnad. The thermal water has a temperature of 72 degrees Celsius, and a total mineralization of 9,84 g/l. These qualities are used in external treatment, degenerative rheumatic diseases, articular rheumatism, chronical peripheral nervous system diseases, chronical gynecological diseases, posttraumatic diseases and other similar diseases.
The brochure was created by students of Secondary School Halmeu, Satu Mare County, Romania, for the Comenius multilateral project
The brochure is the sole responsibility of the author. ANPCDEFP and the European Commission are not responsible for how the information content is used.