Did You know that Budapest (Hungary) is called as a city of the abundant water?
Why?
Because we have plenty of water here. First of all, we have the river Danube, starting from the Black Forest, Germany and flows until the Black Sea. It is the second longest river in Europe, connecting 10 countries and many cities together. It is flowing trough Passau as well.
But not only the Danube is the only reason, why we call Budapest as a city of the water. The second and not less important reason is the plenty of thermal, and spa water.
But not only the Danube is the only reason, why we call Budapest as a city of the water. The second and not less important reason is the plenty of thermal, and spa water.
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| Photos: from The Veli bey Bath official Facebook page |
Luckily We have lots of hot spring, health spa in Budapest, but all around the whole country as well.
Only in Budapest we have many famous and less famous spring. We have numerous swimming pool and spa built on the site of this springs. Some of this buildings are very old. They were built by the Turks, in the middle ages and, yet they are still in use. But the oldest thermal baths were built during the Roman period by the Romans in the 2nd - 3rd, 4th century AD. You can read more details on wikipedia .
And we love this spas. One of the greatest way to survive and cheer up, relax in a cold, short, and sunless winter days to go to a hot thermal spa during the day, or evening.
Bonus + All of them is good for different kind of illness and sickness.
For this time I will write about one of the less well known one in Budapest. Actually it is located at the Buda side. I guess most of the people living in Budapest does not know about it, because it is quite hidden located.
This is called the Bath of Veli bey, or Veli bej Bath (Address: 1023 Budapest, Árpád fejedelem útja 7.view map
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| The bath from outside photo: andrea szabar |
From the name we can already guess... and yes, this is one of the oldest, dating back to the Turkish period. This was built in the 16th century. The builder was Sokullu Mustafa Pasha. The latest reconstruction few years ago took place by a Hungarian architect: Csaba Virág. Now it is modern, beautiful and still has the original Turkish hammam atmosphere. This bath is an "ilidje"- means that the water is mineral water.
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| The central pool photo: Veli bey Bath official Facebook page |
At the heart of the bath is the main hot bath 36 C, what you see on picture above. This thermal water is recommended for rheumatic and joint pain and problems. But there are 4 more smaller, called family bath, each has a different water temperature.
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| The swimming pool and the Kneipp walking pool photo: thermalonline.hu |
Plus there is a swimming pool and a jacuzzi and a Kneipp walking pool. Above all of this there is there is 2 kind of sauna, 2 more kind of steam cabin. After a hot sauna you can take a cold shower, or if you like you can rub yourself with ice.
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| The ice machine photo: Veli bey official Facebook page |
You can choose from different kind of massage treatment done by qualified masseurs.
The bath is very clean and intimate. It is limited for max 80 visitor at the same time. Because the spring has plenty water, they does not use any chemicals to keep the water of the pools clean. The water changes naturally 4 times a day.
This is a perfect place to have a wellness time. Here you find everything to refresh and pamper yourself after or before a busy, stressful day. And yet, You are still in the center of Budapest.
The bath belongs to the "Brothers Hospitallers of St. Jhon of God".
This means, when You are visiting this bath for your pleasure or well-being, at the same time you are supporting the organization.
The organization is giving free, or almost free hospitalizations for poor people. More about them, You can read here .
I think it is a great combination of giving and receiving :)
I hope You will find my info useful.
I would like to hear your opinion :)
Andi
