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]
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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]
Bosnia and Hercegovina
See: List of spa towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Banja Vrućica, Teslić
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).
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.
Croatia
See: List of spa towns in Croatia
In Croatia, the word Toplice implies a spa town.
Czech Republic
See: Spa towns in the Czech Republic
In the Czech Language, the word Lázně implies a spa town.
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.
Germany
See: List of spa towns in Germany
In Germany, the word Bad implies a spa town.
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. But there are lot countryside spas around: Bogács, Bükkszék, Zsóry, Hajdúszoboszló, MIskolc-tapolca, Bük, Hévíz...
Poland
See: List of spa towns in Poland
Romania
See: List of spa towns in Romania
In Romania, the word Băile implies a spa town.
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.
In Serbia, the word Banja implies a spa town.
New Zealand
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.
United States
- Saratoga Springs
- Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Bath (Berkeley Springs), West Virginia
- Truth or Consequences, New Mexico
- Desert Hot Springs, California
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 -
- 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 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
See also
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
External links
- "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.