Széchenyi Medicinal Bath
Encyclopedia
The Széchenyi Medicinal Bath in Budapest
(Széchenyi-gyógyfürdő) is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Its water is supplied by two thermal springs, their temperature is 74 °C (165.2 °F) and 77 °C (170.6 °F), respectively.
Components of the thermal water include sulphate, calcium
, magnesium
, bicarbonate
and a significant amount of fluoride acid and metaboric acid. Medical indications are on degenerative joint illnesses, chronic and sub-acute joint inflammations, as well as orthopaedic and traumatological post-treatments.
The bath can be found in the City Park
, and was built in 1913 in Neo-baroque
style to the design of Győző Czigler
. At that time it had private baths, separate men and women steam-bath sections, and different men / women "public baths".
The complex was expanded in 1927, and it still has 3 outdoor and 15 indoor pools. After its expansion, the thermal artesian well could not fulfill its purpose, so a new well was drilled. The second thermal spring was found in 1938. Main swimming and thermal sections are possible to visit mixed.
Towels and swimsuits can be rented or bought in the spa.
On weekends and holidays the entrance fee is higher than on weekdays.
In February 2011 the prices are between 3500 and 3750 HUF. Actual Prices
It is also a station
of the yellow M1 (Millennium Underground) line of the Budapest Metro
.
The bath was named after István Széchenyi
.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
(Széchenyi-gyógyfürdő) is the largest medicinal bath in Europe. Its water is supplied by two thermal springs, their temperature is 74 °C (165.2 °F) and 77 °C (170.6 °F), respectively.
Components of the thermal water include sulphate, calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
, magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole...
, bicarbonate
Bicarbonate
In inorganic chemistry, bicarbonate is an intermediate form in the deprotonation of carbonic acid...
and a significant amount of fluoride acid and metaboric acid. Medical indications are on degenerative joint illnesses, chronic and sub-acute joint inflammations, as well as orthopaedic and traumatological post-treatments.
The bath can be found in the City Park
City Park (Budapest)
Városliget is a public park in Budapest, Hungary close to the city centre. It is located in District XIV of Budapest. Its main entrance is Heroes' Square , one of Hungary's World Heritage sites.-Name:The area was formerly called Ökör-dűlő, meaning "Oxmeadow"...
, and was built in 1913 in Neo-baroque
Neo-baroque
The Baroque Revival or Neo-baroque was an architectural style of the late 19th century. The term is used to describe architecture which displays important aspects of Baroque style, but is not of the Baroque period proper—i.e., the 17th and 18th centuries.Some examples of Neo-baroque architecture:*...
style to the design of Győző Czigler
Gyozo Czigler
Győző Czigler was a Hungarian architect and academic.-Life:Coming from a long line of architects, Czigler initially studied under his father and then with Theophil Hansen at the Budapest Academy of Fine Arts. He further studied abroad in Germany, England and France; also travelling to Italy,...
. At that time it had private baths, separate men and women steam-bath sections, and different men / women "public baths".
The complex was expanded in 1927, and it still has 3 outdoor and 15 indoor pools. After its expansion, the thermal artesian well could not fulfill its purpose, so a new well was drilled. The second thermal spring was found in 1938. Main swimming and thermal sections are possible to visit mixed.
Towels and swimsuits can be rented or bought in the spa.
On weekends and holidays the entrance fee is higher than on weekdays.
In February 2011 the prices are between 3500 and 3750 HUF. Actual Prices
It is also a station
Széchenyi fürdo (Budapest Metro)
Széchenyi fürdő is a station of the yellow M1 line of the Budapest Metro, located below the Széchenyi Medicinal Bath. It was an overground station from 1896 until 1973, when an underground station was built....
of the yellow M1 (Millennium Underground) line of the Budapest Metro
Budapest Metro
The Budapest Metro is the rapid transit system in the Hungarian capital Budapest. It is the second-oldest underground metro system in the world after the London Underground. Its iconic Line 1, dating from 1896, was declared a World Heritage Site in 2002.-Lines:The Metro consists of three lines,...
.
The bath was named after István Széchenyi
István Széchenyi
Széchenyi committed suicide by a shot to his head on April 8, 1860. All Hungary mourned his death. The Academy was in official mourning, along with the most prominent persons of the leading political and cultural associations...
.
External links
- Budapest Spas and Hot Springs entry on Széchenyi Baths
- aerial photographs of the Széchenyi thermal bath
- Picture Gallery