The Baths
The civil engineer Vilmos Zsigmondy got the ball rolling by commissioning the first deep drilling, which was supposed to bring the thermal water to the surface. The first provisional bath was therefore established as early as 1881. However, between 1909 and 1913, the Széchenyi Thermal Bath was completely rebuilt to meet the requirements of the time. In the past, it was common for men and women to bathe in separate areas, but today the bathing is mixed.The Historic Bath
The Széchenyi Thermal Bath is an architectural masterpiece in the Neo-baroque style, which was designed by Győző Czigler. The imposing and majestic bath impresses not only in the interior but also with its splendid facade. After its construction, the bath was renovated several times and expanded with new features including a whirlpool corridor, underwater bubblers, and seating benches.
Hot Springs | Photo: Christopher Nixon - CC-BY-SA 2.0The Thermal Water
The 18 pools have different temperatures, ranging from pleasantly warm to hot water of up to 40 °C (104°F). The thermal water originates from the St. Stephen's Fountain, which has a temperature of 76 °C (168.8 F). It is rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, sodium, sulfate, fluoride, and boric acid and is therefore primarily used as a complementary therapy for conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis, skin diseases, or respiratory diseases.
Checkmate! | Photo: Flickr, Tiomax80 - CC BY 2.0The Outdoor Area
Both in summer and winter, the outdoor area with three pools invites visitors to linger. Especially in winter, the outdoor swimming areas are a spectacle when the warm water begins to steam due to the temperature difference. The largest outdoor pool is intended for swimmers, while in the warmest pool, you can observe locals playing a game of chess.