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There is a town located near the western tip of Lake Balaton with a name indicative of the local hot-water springs. Visitors in Hévíz (meaning: warm water) can go for a swim in the world’s largest, biologically active thermal water lake.
This is a site where archeologists have unearthed sacrificial medals of healing from the Roman period and where, according to legends, future Roman Emperor Flavius Theodosius was cured from his infantile paralysis.
The development of modern bath culture began in the 18th century, when the region was the domain of the famous Festetics family and Count György Festetics built a bath based on rafts.
The tens of thousands of years old lake reaches up a depth of 38 metres and has a surface of 4.4 hectares, serving as a nature reserve along with the 50 hectare forest surrounding it. The forest shielding the lake from its surroundings is a key element of the lake’s ecological system – the lake’s curative effect is fully complemented by its natural surroundings. Its biologically active waters are used for post locomotor-operation rehabilitation and to fight off the effects of gout as well as for the general preservation of health.
The lake’s water is naturally replaced every 3.5 days. The oval-shaped lake is fed by hot and cold water springs alike – its temperature during summertime varies between 33–38 degrees Celsius and will never fall below 22-23 degrees Celsius even in the winter, allowing visitors to comfortably swim outside in the lake even in the harshest weather conditions, covered by a thick layer of steam that usually surrounds the lake in such periods.
Come and share the unparallelled experience of taking in the views of the quaint old buildings with fully restored interiors from the water. The site features modern therapeutic departments, as well as a wellness and therapy centre, providing ideal conditions for recovery, rest and recreation.
The bottom of the curative lake is lined with a several metre deep layer of peat. Thanks to the special organisms living in the mud, the medicinal mud of Hévíz has a unique softness.
Treatments performed with the warm medicinal mud can stimulate circulation, leading to an accelerated metabolism. It makes the skin flexible and velvety soft, which is why the mud sourced from the lake is utilized by the beauty industry.
The over two hundred year-old therapeutic tradition, as well as the medicinal water with a special composition and the medicinal mud gained from this source are utilized in the traditional Hévíz therapy, which has scientifically proven beneficial effects. The premium category Hévíz therapeutic hotels as well as the wellness and medical hotels of the region offer classic therapies and modern wellness services alongside countless health preservation, fitness, selfness and lifestyle programs besides their own bathing facilities.
A wide range of active, cultural and culinary experiences are waiting to be discovered in the region. The parks, promenades and hiking trails are suitable for relaxing strolls or even Nordic walking.