Egerszalók is an open-air
spa
A spa is a location where mineral-rich spring water (sometimes seawater) is used to give medicinal baths. Spa health treatments are known as balneotherapy. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters and hot springs goes back to pre ...
and village in
Heves County
Heves county (, ) lies in northern Hungary, between the right bank of the river Tisza and the Mátra and Bükk mountains. It shares borders with the Hungarian counties Pest (county), Pest, Nógrád (county), Nógrád, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén and ...
in northeastern
Hungary
Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning much of the Pannonian Basin, Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and ...
. The springs yield 68 °C.
mineral water
Mineral water is water from a mineral spring that contains various minerals, such as salts and sulfur compounds. It is usually still, but may be sparkling ( carbonated/ effervescent).
Traditionally, mineral waters were used or consumed at t ...
from an aquifer located under the volcanic
Mátra Mountains
The Mátra () is a mountain range in northern Hungary, between the towns Gyöngyös and Eger. The country's highest peak, Kékestető (1014 m), belongs to this mountain range.
Formation Pre-volcanic formations
The formation of the Mátra ...
. The spa is located 8 km west of the county seat of
Eger
Eger ( , ; ; also known by other #Names and etymology, alternative names) is the county seat of Heves County, and the second largest city in Northern Hungary (after Miskolc). A city with county rights, Eger is best known for Castle of Eger, its ...
, from which it is served by motorbus.
Egerszalok lies 133 km from Budapest, in the Laskó stream valley between the Mátra and Bükk ranges. The village can be easily reached from the M3 highway.
Description
The historical and geographical associations of Egerszalók have made it a favourite spa in Hungary. The area's waters have been in use since the 1730s, although the current spa only came into operation in 1961. Before entering the spa pools, the steaming water runs down a series of
cascades backed and lined with
travertine
Travertine ( ) is a form of terrestrial limestone deposited around mineral springs, especially hot springs. It often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, cream-colored, and rusty varieties. It is formed by a process ...
; the gleaming mineral has precipitated from the water as it interacts with air at atmospheric temperatures. The travertine is locally called "salt," and the cascade of water is called "Salt Hill."
Not all of the dissolved solids precipitate. The Egerszalók spa pools contain water rich in calcium, magnesium, and hydrocarbonate minerals. A total of 17 outdoor and indoor pools comprise a total water surface area of 1,900 m².
Surrounding the springs are pine trees, apple trees, and a grove of the
beech
Beech (genus ''Fagus'') is a genus of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to subtropical (accessory forest element) and temperate (as dominant element of Mesophyte, mesophytic forests) Eurasia and North America. There are 14 accepted ...
es for which the nearby Bükk Mountains are known. The region grows
Egri Bikavér
Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood of Eger) is a blended red wine produced in Eger, Hungary. It is very representative of the red wines of Eger, a terroir wine, which carries the flavour of the soils of local production sites, the mezzo-climate unique ...
wine, sometimes called ''bull's blood'' wine in English, and spa visitors sometimes enjoy the
terroir
(; ; from ''terre'', ) is a French language, French term used to describe the environmental factors that affect a crop's phenotype, including unique environment contexts, farming practices and a crop's specific growth habitat. Collectively, th ...
experience by bathing in the spa and drinking the wine.
The spa is physically connected to the adjacent Salaris Resort Spa and Conference Hotel. For non-guests, admission is charged to the spa. A section of the hot springs has been officially signed and set aside for
naturist
Naturism is a lifestyle of practicing non-sexual social nudity in private and in public; the word also refers to the cultural movement which advocates and defends that lifestyle. Both may alternatively be called nudism. Though the two terms a ...
s.
See also
*
Szalók (genus)
Szalók was a line of Hungarian nobles (Clan Szalók) in the medieval Kingdom of Hungary. The first known ancestor of the family ''Baja'' was mentioned by a royal charter in 1183. Their earliest realm was located at the village of Szalók, Heves ...
References
External links
EgerszalókEgerszalók thermal bath - gallery
{{DEFAULTSORT:Egerszalok
Hot springs of Hungary
Populated places in Heves County