Editing Spa town

{{Short description|Specialized resort town situated around a mineral spa}}
{{About|a town around a spa|other uses|Spa (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
[[File:Bad Pöstyén.jpg|thumb|The statue of "The crutchbreaker" in the spa town [[Piešťany]] ([[Slovakia]]) – a symbol of balneotherapy]]
[[File:Flickr - …trialsanderrors - Spa, Belgium, ca. 1895.jpg|thumb|right|[[Old master print|Print]] of [[Spa, Belgium|Spa]], [[Belgium]], 1895]]
[[File:Ikaalisten kylpylä 2.jpg|thumb|''Ikaalisten Kylpylä'', a spa center in [[Ikaalinen]], [[Pirkanmaa]], [[Finland]]]]

A '''spa town''' is a [[resort town]] based on a [[mineral spa]] (a developed [[mineral spring]]). Patrons visit spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits. <!-- In [[continental Europe]] a spa was known as a ''ville d'eau'' (town of water). {{cd}} -->

[[Thomas Guidott]] set up a medical practice in the English town of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] in 1668. He became interested in the curative properties of the hot mineral waters there and in 1676 wrote ''A discourse of Bathe, and the hot waters there. Also, Some Enquiries into the Nature of the water''. This brought the purported health-giving properties of the waters to the attention of the aristocracy, who started to partake in them soon after.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Burns |first=D. Thorburn |title=Thomas Guidott (1638–1705): Physician and Chymist, contributor to the analysis of mineral waters |journal=Analytical Proceedings|volume=18 |issue=1 |pages=2–6 |doi=10.1039/AP9811800002 |year=1981}}</ref>

The term ''spa'' is used for towns or resorts offering [[hydrotherapy]], which can include cold water or [[mineral water]] treatments and geothermal baths, and comes from the Belgian town [[Spa, Belgium|Spa]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://csicop.org/sb/2005-09/i-files.html |title=Healing Waters; Investigative Files (Skeptical Briefs June 2005) |access-date=3 February 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071024180616/http://www.csicop.org/sb/2005-09/i-files.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 24 October 2007}}</ref>

==Spa towns by country==
===Argentina===
*[[Termas de Rio Hondo]]
*[[Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña]]

===Australia===
There are mineral springs in the [[Central Highlands of Victoria]]. Most are in and around [[Daylesford, Victoria|Daylesford]] and [[Hepburn Springs, Victoria|Hepburn Springs]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=VICTORIAN MINERAL SPRINGS: STRATEGIC MASTERPLAN 2015-2024 |url=https://www.vgls.vic.gov.au/client/en_AU/search/asset/1294005/0 |publisher=Victorian Mineral Water Committee |page=3}}</ref> [[Daylesford, Victoria|Daylesford]] and [[Hepburn Springs]] call themselves "Spa Country" and the "Spa Centre of Australia".

In [[Queensland]], many towns have mineral springs created by [[Artesian bore|artesian bores]] into the [[Great Artesian Basin]], often the only or primary water supply to the towns. Some of these towns had periods of popularity as spa towns, including [[Aramac, Queensland|Ararmac]], [[Barcaldine, Queensland|Barcaldine]], [[Dalby, Queensland|Dalby]], [[Helidon, Queensland|Helidon]], [[Innot Hot Springs]], and [[Muckadilla, Queensland|Muckadilla]], mostly in the late 1800s and early 1900s when mineral spas were believed to cure various medical conditions. However, the remote locations of most of these towns made them expensive to visit and only small-scale spa facilities developed there. Helidon, a day trip from [[Brisbane]] by car, was more successful, particularly with growing owernship of cars after [[World War II]]. However, concerns about [[radioactivity]] and [[Bacteria|bacterial]] [[contamination]] resulted in the Helidon Spa falling into disuse by 1994. Many towns in Queensland continue to provide bathing facilities fed by hot springs, but these are promoted as relaxing holiday activities rather than as medical treatments.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Griggs|first=Peter |journal=[[Queensland Review]]|title="Taking the waters": mineral springs, artesian bores and health tourism in Queensland, 1870-1950|year=2013 |volume=20|number=2|pages=157–158, 169|url=https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/30994/1/S1321816613000184a.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921233227/https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/30994/1/S1321816613000184a.pdf |archive-date=2017-09-21 |url-status=live |publication-date=2013 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |doi=10.1017/qre.2013.18 |s2cid=39508107 |access-date=20 July 2022}}</ref>

===Belgium===
* [[Chaudfontaine]] (lit.  "hot fountain" in French)
* [[Ostend]]
* [[Spa, Belgium|Spa]] (the [[eponym]] for the modern word)

===Bosnia and Herzegovina===
{{Main|List of spa towns#Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
[[File:Banja_Slatina_ulaz.jpg|thumb|The [[Slatina, Laktaši|Slatina]] Spa|200x200px]]

* [[Banja Ilidža]], a spa town near capital [[Sarajevo]]
* Banja Slatina, [[Slatina, Laktaši|Slatina]] - Slatina is a spa town, well-known as one of the best health resorts for rheumatism in the region. Slatina has a tradition since 1870s.
* Banja Vrućica, [[Teslić]]

===Brazil===
{{Main|List of spa towns#Brazil}}

Brazil has a growing number of spa towns. The traditional ones are: [[Águas de Lindoia]], [[Serra Negra]], [[Águas de São Pedro]], [[Caxambu]], [[Poços de Caldas]], [[Caldas Novas]], [[Araxá]], and [[São Lourenço, Minas Gerais|São Lourenço]].

===Bulgaria===
[[File:Diocletianopolys-Hisarya South Gate.JPG|200px|thumb|The Roman walls of Hisarya. Many spa towns in Bulgaria have existed since the [[Roman Empire]].]]
{{Main|List of spa towns in Bulgaria}}

[[Bulgaria]] is known for its more than 500 mineral springs, including the hottest spring in the Balkans at [[Sapareva Banya]] - 103&nbsp;°C. Other famous spa towns include [[Sandanski]], [[Hisarya, Bulgaria|Hisarya]], [[Bankya]], [[Devin, Bulgaria|Devin]], [[Kyustendil]], [[Varshets]], [[Velingrad]].

In [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]], the word for a spa is ''баня'' (transliterated ''banya'').

===Canada===
{{Main|List of spa towns#Canada}}

[[Harrison Hot Springs]] is one of the oldest among 18 in British Columbia; there are also two in Alberta and one in Ontario.

===Croatia===
{{Main|List of spa towns#Croatia}}

In [[Croatia]], the word ''Toplice'' implies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Croatia are [[Daruvar]], [[Šibenik]] and [[Sisak]].

===Czech Republic===
[[File:2007-KarlovyVary-053-wide.jpg|thumb|608x608px|The spa town of [[Karlovy Vary]] (Karlsbad) ]]
{{Main|Spa towns in the Czech Republic}}

In [[Czech language|Czech]], the word ''Lázně'' implies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Czech Republic are  the [[voy:West Bohemian Spa Triangle|West Bohemian Spa Triangle]] of [[Karlovy Vary]],  [[Františkovy Lázně]] and [[Mariánské Lázně]], listed on [[Great Spa Towns of Europe|UNESCO World Heritage Site]]. Other important spas are [[Luhačovice]], [[Teplice]], [[Jáchymov]], [[Konstantinovy Lázně]], [[Jeseník]], [[Třeboň]], [[Poděbrady]], [[Bechyně]] or [[Velké Losiny]].

===Finland===
Traditionally, [[Hanko, Finland|Hanko]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-9461351|title = Hangon kylpyläkulttuuri herää henkiin kymmenien vuosien hiljaiselon jälkeen|date = 16 February 2017}}</ref> [[Rauma, Finland|Rauma]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-7445778|title = Tiesitkö: Rauma oli huikean suosittu kylpyläkaupunki jo 1700-luvulla|date = 4 September 2014}}</ref> and [[Kalajoki]] have been considered spa towns. Today there are more than 50 spas (''kylpylä'') in Finland;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.etlehti.fi/artikkeli/matkaopas/katso-lista-kaikista-suomen-kylpyloista-mukana-myos-kartta|title = Katso lista kaikista Suomen kylpylöistä – mukana myös kartta|date = 21 September 2017}}</ref> some towns known for their spa centers include [[Ikaalinen]], [[Naantali]] and [[Imatra]].

===France===
{{Main|List of spa towns in France}}

In [[France]], the words ''bains'', ''thermes'' and ''eaux'' in city names often imply a spa town. There are more than 50 spa towns in France, including [[Vichy]], [[Aix-les-Bains]], [[Bagnoles-de-l'Orne]], [[Dax, Landes|Dax]], and [[Enghien-les-Bains]].

===Georgia===
[[Borjomi]] is one such example in south Georgia.

===Germany===
[[File:Binz (2011-05-21) 05.JPG|thumb|[[Binz]] on [[Rügen|Rugia Island]], Germany]]
{{Main|List of spa towns in Germany}}

In [[Germany]], the word ''Bad'' implies a spa town. Among the many famous spa towns in Germany are [[Aachen|Bad Aachen]], [[Baden-Baden]], [[Bad Brückenau]], [[Bad Ems]], [[Bad Homburg vor der Höhe|Bad Homburg]], [[Bad Honnef]], [[Bad Kissingen]], [[Bad Kreuznach]], [[Bad Mergentheim]], [[Bad Muskau]], [[Bad Oeynhausen]], [[Bad Pyrmont]], [[Bad Reichenhall]], [[Bad Saarow]], [[Bad Schandau]], [[Bad Schönborn]], [[Bad Segeberg]], [[Bad Soden]], [[Bad Tölz]], [[Bad Wildbad]], [[Bad Wimpfen]], [[Traben-Trarbach|Bad Wildstein]], [[Berchtesgaden]], [[Binz]], [[Freudenstadt]], [[Heiligendamm]], [[Heringsdorf, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern|Heringsdorf]], [[Kampen (Sylt)|Kampen]], [[Königstein im Taunus|Königstein]], [[Radebeul]], [[Schwangau]], [[St. Blasien]], [[Titisee-Neustadt|Titisee]], [[Tegernsee]], [[Travemünde]] and [[Zingst]]. [[Wiesbaden]] is the largest spa town in Germany.

===Greece===
{{Main|List of spa towns in Greece}}

The most popular spa towns in Greece are [[Aidipsos]], [[Agkistro| Agkistro, Serres]], [[Loutraki]], [[Kamena Vourla]], [[Kimolos]], [[Loutra Kyllinis]], [[Sidirokastro|Sidirokastro, Serres]], Lakkos [[Milos]], [[Loutrochori, Pella|Loutrochori, Aridaia, Pella]] (Pozar)

===Hungary===
{{Main|List of spa towns in Hungary}}

In [[Hungary]], the word ''fürdő'' or the more archaic ''füred'' ("bath"), ''fürdőváros'' ("spa town") or ''fürdőhely'' ("bathing place") implies a spa town. Hungary is rich in thermal waters with purported health benefits, and many spa towns are popular tourist destinations. [[Budapest]] has [[Budapest#Spas|several spas]], including Turkish style spas dating back to the 16th century. [[Eger]] also has a Turkish spa. Other famous spas include the ones at [[Hévíz]], [[Harkány]], [[Bük]], [[Hajdúszoboszló]], [[Gyula, Hungary|Gyula]], [[Bogács]], [[Bükkszék]], [[Zalakaros]], the [[Cave Bath]] at [[Miskolctapolca]] and the Zsóry-fürdő at [[Mezőkövesd]].

===India===
*[[Trivandrum]]
*[[Varkala]]
*[[Kovalam]]
*[[Poovar]]

===Indonesia===
* [[Bali]]
* [[Batam]]

===Italy===
[[File:Terme berzieri.jpg|200px|thumb|[[Salsomaggiore Terme]], in Northern [[Italy]].]]
{{Main|List of spa towns#Italy}}

In [[Italy]], spa towns, called ''città termale'' (from Latin ''thermae''), are very numerous all over the country because of the intense geological activity of the territory. These places were known and used since the Roman age.
===Iraq===
{{Main articles|Hamam al-Alil}}

===Japan===
{{main|Onsen}}

===Kazakhstan===
*[[Burabay]], lies in the [[Kokshetau Mountains]], part of the [[Kokshetau Hills]] of the [[Kazakh Uplands]] (Saryarka).

===Luxembourg===
* [[Mondorf-les-Bains]]

===Lithuania===
* [[Druskininkai]] - is known for mineral springs. The name comes from Lithuanian word ''druska'' - salt.
* [[Birštonas]] - is known for mineral springs and curative mud applications.

===Netherlands===
* [[Bad Nieuweschans]] in the North on the border with Germany, with "Bad" implying a spa town.
* [[Valkenburg (city)|Valkenburg]] near Maastricht, which wants to be a "city of wellness".

===New Zealand===
*[[Rotorua]]
*[[Hanmer Springs]]
*[[Waiwera]]
*[[Te Aroha]][[File:Domain Historic Area Te Aroha.jpg|thumb|Te Aroha Hot Springs Domain]]
*[[Ngawha Springs]]
*[https://www.tearohanz.co.nz/see-do/history-of-te-aroha/a-spa-town-is-born Te Aroha Hot Springs Domain] 

===Poland===
{{Main|List of spa towns in Poland}}

Most spa towns in Poland are located in the [[Lesser Poland]] and [[Lower Silesian Voivodeship|Lower Silesian]] Voivodeships. Some of them have an affix "''Zdrój''" in their name (written with [[hyphen]] or separately), meaning "water spring", to denote their spa status, but this is not a general rule (e.g. [[Ciechocinek]] and [[Inowrocław]] are spa towns, but do not use the affix).

===Portugal===
[[File:Waterfall, Caldas De Monchique, Portugal.jpg|200px|thumb|A waterfall in [[Caldas de Monchique]], [[Algarve]] (south region of [[Portugal]])]]
Portugal is well known by famous spa towns throughout of the country.

Due to its high quality, as well as the landscape where are located, the most important ones are: 
*[[Caldas da Rainha]]
*[[Caldas das Taipas]]
*[[Caldas de Monchique]]
*Termas do Gerês
*[[Vizela|Caldas de Vizela]]
*[[Pedras Salgadas]]
*[[Vidago]]
*[[Chaves, Portugal|Chaves]]
*[[São Pedro do Sul, Portugal|São Pedro do Sul]]
*Caldas da Felgueira located in [[Viseu District]], and 5km from [[Nelas]] town.
*[[Termas de Monfortinho]]
*[[Caldas de São Jorge]]

===Romania===
{{Main|List of spa towns#Romania}}

In [[Romania]], the word ''Băile'' implies a spa town. The most famous spa towns in Romania are [[Băile Herculane]], [[Băile Felix]], [[Mangalia]], [[Covasna]], [[Călimănești]] & [[Borsec]].

===Serbia===
{{Main|List of spa towns in Serbia}}

[[Serbia]] is known for its many spa cities. Some of the best known springs are the [[Vrnjačka Banja]], [[Bukovička Banja]], [[Vrujci]], [[Sokobanja]] and [[Niška Banja]]. The hottest spring in Serbia is at [[Vranjska Banja]] (96°C)<ref>{{cite web|title=Reservoir Capital Corp.: 20MW Potential Estimated for the Vranjska Banja Geothermal Project|date=23 January 2012 |url=http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/reservoir-capital-corp-20mw-potential-estimated-vranjska-banja-geothermal-project-tsx-venture-reo-1609489.htm|access-date=3 February 2012}}</ref>

In Serbia, the word ''Banja'' implies a spa town.

===Slovakia===
[[File:Turčinske Teplice, Blue Spa building.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|Entrance to the spa in [[Turčianske Teplice]] (Slovakia)]]
{{Main|Spa towns in Slovakia}}

[[Slovakia]] is well known by its spa towns. The most famous is the city of [[Piešťany]] in [[Trnava Region]]. Other notable spa towns in Slovakia include:

* [[Bardejov]]
* [[Brusno]]
* [[Bojnice]]
* [[Číž]]
* [[Dudince]]
* [[Liptovský Ján]]
* [[Lúčky (okres Ružomberok)|Lúčky]]
* [[Piešťany]]
* [[Rajecké Teplice]]
* [[Sklené Teplice]]
* [[Sliač]]
* [[Smrdáky]]
* [[Trenčianske Teplice]]
* [[Turčianske Teplice]]

===Slovenia===
Spa towns in [[Slovenia]] include [[Rogaška Slatina]], [[Radenci]], [[Čatež ob Savi]], [[Dobrna]], Dolenjske Toplice, Šmarješke Toplice, [[Moravske Toplice]], [[Rimske Toplice]], [[Laško]] and [[Topolšica]]. They offer accommodation in hotels, apartments, bungalows, and camp sites. The Slovenian words ''terme'' or ''toplice'' imply a spa town.

=== South Africa ===
Spa towns in [[South Africa]] include:

* [[Caledon, South Africa|Caledon]]
* [[Badplaas]]
* [[Bela-Bela]]
* [[Tshipise]]

===South Korea(한국, 남한)===
*[[Dongrae, Busan 동래온천 ]]
*[[Haewundae, Busan해운대온천]]
*[[Suanbo 수안보온천 ]]
*[[Yuseong, Daejeon유성온천 ]]
*[[Onyang, Asan온양온천]]



===Spain===
Spa towns in [[Spain]] include:
*[[Alhama de Aragon]]
*[[Panticosa]] in the high [[Pyrenees]]
*[[Archena]] 
*[[Caldes d'Estrac]]
*[[Caldes de Montbui]]
*[[Riofrío, Ávila|Riofrío]]
*[[Caldes de Malavella]]
*[[Lanjarón]]
*[[Balneario da Toxa|A Toxa]], an island-spa in northwestern [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]].
*[[Mondariz – Balneario|Mondariz]]
*[[Arnedillo]]
*[[Zestoa]]
*[[Karrantza]]
*[[Montemayor]]
*Caldas de Luna

===Sweden===
* [[Ramlösa]] now a part of Helsingborg

===Switzerland===
* [[Baden, Switzerland|Baden]]
* [[Bad Ragaz]] ([[Ragatz]], also known as "Old Baths Pfäfers" or "Old Baths of Pfäfersin")
* [[Davos]]
* [[Lavey-les-Bains]]
* [[Leukerbad]]
* [[Schinznach Bad]]
* [[Yverdon-les-Bains]]
* [[Zurzach]]
* [[Ragatz]]

===Taiwan===
[[File:烏來溫泉街 Wulai Hot Spring Street - panoramio.jpg|thumbnail|right|220px|Wulai Hot Spring Street in [[Wulai Hot Spring|Wulai, New Taipei]], [[Taiwan]]]]
[[Taiwan]] is home to a number of towns and cities with tourism infrastructure centered on hot springs. These include:
*[[Jiaoxi, Yilan]]
*[[Wulai Hot Spring|Wulai, New Taipei]]
*[[Beitou District]], [[Taipei City]]
*[[Tai'an, Miaoli]]
*[[Guguan (hot spring)|Guguan]], in [[Heping District, Taichung|Heping, Taichung]]

===Tunisia===
There are several spa tonws in Tunisia:
*[[Aïn Draham]]
*[[Djebel Oust]]
*[[El Hamma]]
*[[Hammam Bourguiba]]
*[[Hammam-Lif]]
*[[Korbous]]

===Turkey===
There are several spa towns in [[Turkey]]. The most famous of these is Pamukkale, Denizli where the [[Pamukkale|Pamukkale thermal springs]] are located.
*[[Ayder]]
*[[Çeşme]]
*[[Gönen]]
*[[Kızılcahamam]]
*[[Pamukkale]]
*[[Sandıklı]]
*[[Termal]]

===Ukraine===
*[[Morshyn]]
*[[Truskavets]]

===United Kingdom===
{{Main|List of spa towns in the United Kingdom}}
Some but not all [[United Kingdom|UK]] spa towns contain "Spa", "Wells", or "Bath" in their names, e.g., [[Matlock Bath]]. Some towns are designated Spa Heritage Towns. Two out of four of the English towns granted the title "Royal", [[Leamington Spa|Royal Leamington Spa]] and [[Royal Tunbridge Wells]], are spa towns.

===United States===
*[[Chena Hot Springs, Alaska]]
*[[Eureka Springs, Arkansas]]
*[[Hot Springs, Arkansas]]
*[[Calistoga, California]]
*[[Desert Hot Springs, California]]
*[[Palm Springs, California]]
*[[Glenwood Springs, Colorado]]
*[[Pagosa Springs, Colorado]]
*[[Steamboat Springs, Colorado]]
*[[Safety Harbor, Florida]]
*[[Warm Springs, Georgia]]
*[[Lava Hot Springs, Idaho]]
*[[West Baden Springs, Indiana]]
*[[Mount Clemens, Michigan]]
*[[Excelsior Springs, Missouri]]
*[[Jemez Springs, New Mexico]]
*[[Truth or Consequences, New Mexico]]
*[[Gila Hot Springs, New Mexico]]
*[[Ballston Spa, New York]]
*[[Saratoga Springs, New York]]
*[[Hot Springs, North Carolina]]
*[[Bedford, Pennsylvania]]
*[[Hot Springs, South Dakota]]
*[[Mineral Wells, Texas]]
*[[Warm Springs, Virginia]]
*[[Connell, Washington]]
*[[Bath (Berkeley Springs), West Virginia]]
*[[Waukesha, Wisconsin]]
*[[Saratoga, Wyoming]]
*[[Thermopolis, Wyoming]]

==Terminology==
{{Main|List of spa towns}}

Terms used in various countries:

*in the [[Arab world]] -'' [[Turkish bath|Hammam]]''
*in [[Bulgaria]] - ''Bani''
*in [[Chile]] - ''Termas''
*in [[Croatia]] - ''Toplice''
*in [[Cyprus]] - ''Loutra-Therma''
*in the [[Czech Republic]] - ''Lázně''
*in [[Ethiopia]] - ''Filwoha''
*in [[France]] - ''Bains, thermes''
*in [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] - ''სამკურნალო წყლები''
*in [[Germany]], [[Austria]], and [[Switzerland]] - ''Bad'', the first part of the names of most spa towns, a cognate to the English "bath" while "Therme" is used for the spa itself.
*in [[Greece]] - ''Loutra-Therma''
*in [[Hungary]] - ''fürdő'' or -''füred''
*in [[Italy]] - ''Terme''
*in [[Iran]] - ''Cheshme Ab-e-Garm"'' or ''"Cheshme Ab-e-Madani''
*in [[Japan]] - ''[[Onsen]]''
*in [[Korea]] - ''온천''
*in [[Mexico]]- ''Termas'' or ''Balneario''
*in [[Peru]] - ''Cuzco, Cajamarca''
*in [[Poland]] - ''[[List of spa towns in Poland]]''
*in [[Portugal]] - ''Caldas'' or ''Termas ''
*in [[Russia]] - ''Минеральные воды'' or ''Лечебные воды''
*in [[Romania]] - ''Băile''
*in [[Slovakia]] - ''Liečebné kúpele''
*in [[Serbia]] - ''Banja''
*in [[Spain]] - ''Termas'' or ''Balneario''
*in [[Turkey]] - ''Termal'' or ''Kaplica''
*in [[Ukraine]] - ''Лікувальні води''

==See also==
{{Portal|Society}}
*[[Spa]]
*[[Resort architecture]]
*[[Spa architecture]]
*[[Spa resort]]
*[[Hot spring]]
*[[Sauna]]
*[[Thermae]]
*[[Mineral water]]
*[[Hydrotherapy]]
*[[Sanatorium]]
*[[Great Spas of Europe]], UNESCO World Heritage site

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Spa towns}}
{{Wikivoyage|Spa towns}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spa Town}}
[[Category:Spa towns| ]]
[[Category:Spas]]
[[Category:Destination spas]]
[[Category:Geography-related lists by country]]
[[Category:Types of towns]]