Egerszalók
Encyclopedia
Egerszalók is an open-air spa
and village (population 2,311) located in Heves County in northeastern Hungary
. The springs yield 68°C. mineral water
from an aquifer located under the volcanic Mátra Mountains
. The spa is located 8 km west of the county seat of Eger
, from which it is served by motorbus.
Egerszalok lies 133 km from Budapest, in the Lasko stream valley between the Matra and Bukk ranges. The village can be easily reached from the M3 highway.
backed and lined with travertine
; the gleaming mineral has precipitated from the water as it interacts with air at atmospheric temperatures. The travertine is locally called "salt," and the cascade of water is called "Salt Hill."
Not all of the dissolved solids precipitate. The Egerszalók spa pools contain water rich in calcium, magnesium, and hydrocarbonate minerals. A total of 17 outdoor and indoor pools comprise a total water surface area of 1,900 m².
Surrounding the springs are pine trees, apple trees, and a grove of the beeches
for which the nearby Bükk Mountains are known. The region grows Egri Bikavér
wine, sometimes called bull's blood wine in English, and spa visitors sometimes enjoy the terroir
experience by bathing in the spa and drinking the wine.
The spa is physically connected to the adjacent Salaris Resort Spa and Conference Hotel. For non-guests, admission is charged to the spa. A section of the hot springs has been officially signed and set aside for naturists.
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
and village (population 2,311) located in Heves County in northeastern Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. The springs yield 68°C. mineral water
Mineral water
Mineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic value, generally obtained from a naturally occurring mineral spring or source. Dissolved substances in the water may include various salts and sulfur compounds...
from an aquifer located under the volcanic Mátra Mountains
Mátra
Mátra is a mountain range in northern Hungary, between the towns Gyöngyös and Eger. The country's highest peak, Kékestető , belongs to this mountain range....
. The spa is located 8 km west of the county seat of Eger
Eger
Eger is the second largest city in Northern Hungary, the county seat of Heves, east of the Mátra Mountains. Eger is best known for its castle, thermal baths, historic buildings , and red and white wines.- Name :...
, from which it is served by motorbus.
Egerszalok lies 133 km from Budapest, in the Lasko stream valley between the Matra and Bukk ranges. The village can be easily reached from the M3 highway.
Description
The historical and geographical associations of Egerszalók have made it a favourite spa in Hungary. The area's waters have been in use since the 1730s, although the current spa only came into operation in 1961. Before entering the spa pools, the steaming water runs down a series of cascadesWaterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
backed and lined with travertine
Travertine
Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, and cream-colored varieties. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, often at the mouth of a hot...
; the gleaming mineral has precipitated from the water as it interacts with air at atmospheric temperatures. The travertine is locally called "salt," and the cascade of water is called "Salt Hill."
Not all of the dissolved solids precipitate. The Egerszalók spa pools contain water rich in calcium, magnesium, and hydrocarbonate minerals. A total of 17 outdoor and indoor pools comprise a total water surface area of 1,900 m².
Surrounding the springs are pine trees, apple trees, and a grove of the beeches
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
for which the nearby Bükk Mountains are known. The region grows Egri Bikavér
Egri Bikavér
Egri Bikavér is Hungary's most famous red wine. It comes from the Eger wine region of northern Hungary; the Szekszárd region produces a similar wine with similar name but with different character.-Blend:...
wine, sometimes called bull's blood wine in English, and spa visitors sometimes enjoy the terroir
Terroir
Terroir comes from the word terre "land". It was originally a French term in wine, coffee and tea used to denote the special characteristics that the geography, geology and climate of a certain place bestowed upon particular varieties...
experience by bathing in the spa and drinking the wine.
The spa is physically connected to the adjacent Salaris Resort Spa and Conference Hotel. For non-guests, admission is charged to the spa. A section of the hot springs has been officially signed and set aside for naturists.