Makó Hagymatikum Thermal Bath

The medicinal water in the town was first discovered in 1956: the water bubbling up from the 993-metre deep well has a temperature of 41 degrees Celsius. The first real beach was established in the 1960's, with tubs that were initially for personal bathing – the medicinal aspect only came to the fore in the 1980's. In addition to its thermal water, the location is also known for the Maros medicinal mud, one of five such registered products in Hungary. It is suitable for the treatment of dermatological and neurological diseases, chronic musculoskeletal complaints and gynaecological inflammations. 

After the change of regime in the early 21'st century, it was time to expand it with a spa complex. Imre Makovecz, the internationally acclaimed architect with many successful projects under his belt was commissioned to design the new spa building. The organic style of architecture favoured by Makovecz first appeared in the mid-1960's. It was the sole architectural trend able to rise to the status of a true architectural movement in the socialist countries on this side of the Iron Curtain. By the 1980's and 1990's, the architect was also enjoying significant international acclaim. His best-known work abroad was the Hungarian pavilion of the 1992 Seville Expo. The complex as a whole was only completed after his death in 2012. The unique-domed spa used many symbols and materials characteristic of Makovecz’s style, inspired by ancient Hungarian religious symbols and nature motifs.

It was given the name Hagymatikum, a reference to ‘hagyma’, the Hungarian word for onion. The interior spaces are adorned with angel wings, stylised human heads and winding floral motifs, as well as domed constructions reminiscent of a Turkish bath. The shape of the 29 domes of various sizes are meant to symbolise spring water bubbling up from the ground. The reception building is dominated by a dome surrounded by towers, with a glass tip evoking the shape of a crown. The spa offers pleasant relaxation for people of all ages, with swimming and massage pools, a sauna section and children’s paddling pools.