Hévíz lake and traditional Hévíz medicine
Hévíz Lake is one of the biggest natural wonders in Hungary and the largest warm-water lake in Europe. But how can a lake turn into a Hungarikum?
What makes Hévíz Lake so special?
Hévíz has had a spa since the 18th century, as people realized early enough that the special water of the lake has a beneficial effect on the human health. The daily water flow of the springs feeding Lake Hévíz is about 35 million liters, therefore the total water supply of the lake is refreshed about every three days.
The lake is a very special natural formation, because unlike other warm-water lakes in the world, that are mostly formed on volcanic, clay or rocky soils, Lake Hévíz has a peat bed. The continuous and slow flow of water has a beneficial effect on health, and at the same time gently massages bathers in the lake.
The lake’s springs are rich in minerals and originate from a 38-meter-deep cave, where the mixing hot and cold karst waters are more than 10 000 years old. Due to the high temperature and the water quality composition of the karst water, it has always been used for medicinal purposes as well. The first spa in Hévíz was built on rafts in 1772 by György Festetics, who is also founder of Keszthely Georgikon.
The Hévíz Spa
Nowadays, Hévíz is often referred to as the Mecca of rheumatism, as the water here has a proven beneficial effect on musculoskeletal diseases. One of the largest balneological centers is also located on the shores of the lake, where, in addition to post-operative treatments, all kinds of inflammatory, muscle, tendon and joint ailments are treated.
Based on the natural healing effect and the special features of the lake, two new types of treatments were born here:
- the weight bath for the effective stretching and relaxation of muscles (invented by Károly Moll, chief physician of Hévíz),
- and the mud pack treatment, for which, artificially produced Hévíz mud is used in the present days, in order to protect the natural resources of the lake.
The lake itself, and the traditional medicine that comes from it, are considered as Hungarikums, which is worth trying for everybody.
Photos, more informations: https://www.heviz.hu/en
