Interesting facts that few people know about Budapest’s iconic thermal bath

The history of the Széchenyi Thermal Bath dates back to the late 19th century, when the first artesian well was drilled here between 1868 and 1878 by mining engineer Vilmos Zsigmondy. The result was spectacular. The thermal water surged from a depth of 970 metres, with a temperature of 74.5 degrees Celsius. During the planning phase, the building was still referred to as the Artesian Bath. Designed in a neobaroque eclectic style by Győző Czigler, the current main building was opened to the public on 13 June 1913, marking the beginning of the history of Pest’s oldest bath. 

The Széchenyi Bath is remarkable not only within Budapest. For a long time, it was one of Europe’s largest bath complexes. Today, it is surpassed in size by wellness and aquaparks; however, with a total area of over 6,000 square metres, it remains unique among European thermal baths. At peak times during the summer months, it can accommodate up to 4,000 guests at once, attracting around one and a half million visitors annually, including many foreign tourists—numbers that alone explain why it has become one of Budapest’s most famous landmarks. The number of pools at the Széchenyi Bath is equally impressive. In addition to the three large outdoor pools, guests can enjoy a further 15 indoor pools.

The composition of the thermal water at the Széchenyi Bath is what truly makes this place unique. Emerging at 77 °C from Europe’s hottest thermal spring, through Budapest’s second-deepest well at a depth of 1,240 metres, the medicinal water possesses remarkable qualities. The composition of the thermal water at the Széchenyi Bath—containing calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, sulphate, fluoride, and metaboric acid—has made it widely recognised in medical treatments. This complex mineral composition makes the water suitable for treating musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis, rheumatism, and nervous system ailments, as the bath holds an official medical profile and can be prescribed as a therapeutic treatment by a doctor.

The number of pools at the Széchenyi Bath is also remarkable because of the volume of water flowing through them. Nearly eight million cubic metres of thermal water pass through the 18 pools annually, meaning that the bath’s water is constantly renewed and is always in motion. To maintain the water flow, the bath operates its own engine room and filtration system; however, the most precious resource—the thermal water itself—is supplied free by nature from nearly one and a half kilometres deep.

The composition of the Széchenyi Bath’s thermal water at one of its springs is very similar to the mineral balance and slightly radioactive salt content of the Nile’s water. This is one of the reasons the hippopotamus at the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden receives its bathing water from this spring.

Go and visit the ‘Szecska’, which is open in every season!