Strange legends behind the discovery of famous Hungarian medicinal waters

Termalfurdo.hu notes that Hungary is abundant in medicinal waters and Southern Transdanubia is no exception to it. The medicinal waters and spas of Harkány, Igal and Kaposvár, are among the most beloved recreational places of the region. This article unfolds how these secret waters were discovered and what strange stories are behind them.

Just like the majority of thermal baths in Hungary, the ones in Southern Transdanubia were also discovered while searching for mineral reserves. In fact, the discovery of these waters also meant the failure of geologists looking for oil or natural gas. The communist regime commissioned these people, but instead of minerals, they found emerging hot water. At that time, people did not know about the therapeutic and touristic opportunities lying behind the waters.

However, not only industrial researches led to the discovery of well-known Hungarian baths, but everyday observations of people, too.

In many cases, the emerging water was used for the treatment of animals, but after witnessing the beneficial effects of waters with their own eyes, locals also liked standing or sitting in the hot springs. In the following, you can read about some of the gorgeous Southern baths in Hungary which provide evidence for the theories mentioned above.

1. Gunaras Bath – once the pond of geese

The Gunaras Bath, the name of which already refers to secret stories, is only 3 km from Dombóvár. Allegedly, it got its name after being the pond of geese at the beginning of the 20th century. According to the legend, local women working on the cornfield washed their legs in the water on their way home. It was them who spread the news about the beneficial effects of the water that alleviated their rheumatic pain. As the news spread about the magic water, more and more people arrived at the settlement and scientists also proved the medicinal effects of the emerging hot spring. The water of Gunaras was declared to be medicinal water in 1977.

2. Igal Health Spa – the home of thermal water instead of oil

The history of the Igal Health Spa can be retraced to the 1940s when people looked for minerals, especially oil, in the neighbourhood. In contrast to the assumption that the area is rich in oil, oil was not found, but from a 651-meter depth, 81 °C water emerged onto the surface. People had to wait until 1962 when the decision was made about constructing a spa. In 1962, two pools were opened to the public, but three years later, they winterised the pools and covered them so that they can be used now all year round. In 1967, outdoor pools, a swimming pool and children pools were constructed which make the establishment one of the most beloved complexes in the region.