Photo: ESPA Europe's spa culture started back in the Roman Empire era, over 2,000 years ago. Back then, hot springs were not only used to maintain body health. They were also a spot for leisure, relaxation, chatting with friends, and practicing arts.
Since then, wellness and spa sites across the continent have further developed this holistic approach. Natural healing properties, treatments that sustainably boost the immune system, and a wide variety of cultural attractions: these three elements form together the European spa destinations.
Rogaska Spa in Slovenia. Photo: ESPAFrom the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, staying at one of the health and spa resorts became very popular among Europe's aristocracy and the growing middle class. This holistic era of spa destinations can be experienced today by visiting stunning buildings, magnificent parks, and cultural sites built in that period.
A network of thermal spa destinations with Roman origins can be found all across the continent: in the town of Aidipsos in Greece, in Hisarya and Kyustendil in Bulgaria, Vrnjačka Banja in Serbia, in Herculean baths in Romania, in Budapest in Hungary, in Badenweiler in the heart of the Black Forest in Germany, in Piestany in Slovakia, and in Dax in France.
Photo: ESPAWhere do the health benefits of hot springs come from? The water starts its journey as rainwater, which travels about a thousand meters through rocky mountains, reemerging rich in minerals and carbon dioxide. The thermal waters, naturally pure and rich in salts, minerals, and iodine, are renowned for their therapeutic properties.
For thousands of years, hot spring water has been used to heal arthritis, joint pain, and burns, but their main use is in alleviating certain skin conditions and itchiness. Thanks to their cleansing effect and antioxidant properties, thermal waters are suitable for those with dry or sensitive skin, or those suffering from eczema or psoriasis.
Hot Springs. Photo: ESPAMore and more cosmetic companies in Europe are developing a variety of products based on the benefits of hot spring water. The list includes moisture creams, masks, scrubs, lip balms, and other products that hydrate, rebalance the skin, and calm sensitivities, inflammations, and irritations.
Want to know more about spas? Visit the new Wellness and Spa category on the site