SPA HÉVÍZ, HÔPITAL SAINT-ANDRÉ ET HÔTEL (HÉVÍZI GYÓGYTÓ, HOTEL SPA HÉVÍZ, SZENT ANDRÁS REUMAKÓRHÁZ)

The temperature of the thermal waters is the result of a mixture of hot and cold water from several sources that welling at the bottom of a crater 18 m in diameter, located at the deepest point of the lake, at less than 38 m. On the northern side of the crack, the background slowly goes back; on the south side, it is practically pic up to a depth of 2 m.

The healing buildings, on the stilts, are built here, on the edge of the crack, to which they are accessed by covered pontoons. Tapi under the trees of the bank, the old dark wooden bath, with a sharp mound, resembles a fortress of Transylvania. Its covered terraces open onto the lake. The constant flow of sources renews water every 28 hours and maintains a constant temperature that allows swimming in the lake even in winter. The cloud of steam above the lake is visible several kilometres. The temperature in summer varies between 34 ° C and 36 ° C. In winter, it is lower, but it never falls below 23 ° C. The bottom of the lake is covered by several metres of medicinal mud thickness. From May to November, the constant temperature grows beautiful red lilies, which take root in the thickness of warm, slightly radioactive mud. The sulphurous water, with a beautiful opaque turquoise colour, is rich in minerals and cures rheumatic pain, metabolic disorders, etc. The lake and the surrounding forest enjoy a very mild microclimate. We treat ourselves, or simply relax, in the healing facility on the lake. On the other hand, there is «in town», in one of its many hotels or guesthouses. The atmosphere is ripe. It is fun to see all these worthy people swimming with buoys, such as large babies, clinging to the pontoons they fight against the ducks, or sit down on submerged benches, installed for a rest between two loads. The master swimmer on his stamped boat of a red cross resembles a lost shepherd, absorbed in the counting and recount of his sheep…