Europe’s largest natural thermal lake loses iconic building – what’s next for Hévíz?

Since March 2025, the central building of the Hévíz Thermal Lake Spa has been closed, and according to the latest official statements, due to the structural condition of the building, it will no longer reopen to the public. On March 18, the management of the Hévíz Saint Andrew Rheumatology Hospital and Thermal Spa decided that the building’s structural deterioration poses a safety risk, making further use impossible.

According to local Mayor Péter Naszádos, a floating island will be built in place of the main building, designed to offer similar capacity as the former facility. The project is expected to cost around one billion forints and could be completed by spring 2026, writes Termál Online.

The floating island concept represents an innovative approach to the future of the Hévíz Thermal Lake Spa, leveraging the lake’s natural features to create a modern, floating spa complex. Visitors will still be able to enjoy the healing waters, and the development could bring new tourism appeal to the town, which has seen little investment in the spa over the past decades.

Complicating matters further is the changing ownership structure. While the city once held a stake in the company operating the spa, the entire facility is now under the authority of the state-owned Hévíz Saint Andrew Rheumatology Hospital and Thermal Spa. This has introduced uncertainty for local officials about the spa’s future, with the mayor unable to offer clear answers during a recent town hall meeting.