Spas have been the go-to place to relax for hundreds of years. From health to recreation, find out why they’ve been so popular all this time.
The Széchenyi Bath is one of the largest thermal baths in Europe and a must-see attraction in Budapest, a city often referred to as the "spa capital of the world". For the stressed and overworked, there might be nothing more relaxing than a spa. Beyond the cucumber slices and hot towels, these leisurely destinations carry a fascinating legacy that extends back to ancient times.
The thermal baths of Dion featured a heating system called a hypocaust, which produced and circulated hot air below the floor. Hypocausts would later be used in Roman baths as well. Visitors would often enter and undress in the apodyterium . They would then be anointed with oil and may have exercised immediately afterward in a court area. The three main bathing chambers, used in varying order, were the tepidarium , the caldarium , and the frigidarium . There were also two types of steam rooms, the laconicum and the sudatorium .
The word “spa” actually comes from the Belgian city of Spa. Starting in the 16th century, the city’s natural springs captured the attention of many who came to believe the water possessed healing powers. Despite this downward trend, the spa and thermal/mineral spring industries have survived into the 21st century and have even seen a renewed wave of revitalization. In 2021, UNESCO officially categorized 11 European cities as theOther cultures outside of Europe enjoy quality spa time as well. In particular, Japan is famous for its picturesque “onsen”, hot springs and the bathing facilities and inns around them.
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