Spa towns in Romania

Spa towns in Romania				the city was changed again to Vasile Roaita to honor
The term spa is associated with water treatment				a railways worker shot dead during the Grivita Strike
which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or				of 1933. In 1962, the city was renamed yet again to
spa resorts (including hot springs resorts) typically				Eforie Sud.
offer various health treatments. The belief in the				In 1966, the city of Eforie was created by merging
curative powers of mineral waters goes back to				Eforie Sud with the northern resort Eforie Nord. Many
prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular				other hotels were built here over the years, most of
worldwide, but are especially widespread in Europe				them during the communist rule.
and Japan. Day spas are also quite popular, and offer				"Carmen Sylva" High School, the city's only high
various personal care treatments.				school (located in Eforie Sud, which also has a general
A spa town (also called a bathing-place or simply a				school, while another general school is located in
spa) is a town situated around a mineral spa (a				Eforie Nord) is one of the highest ranked high schools
developed mineral spring). Patrons resorted to spas				in the county
to "take the waters" for their purported health				12. Geoagiu (Hungarian: Algyógy) is a town in
benefits. The word comes from the Belgian town				Hunedoara County, Romania, located on the Mures
Spa. In continental Europe a spa was known as a ville				river at an altitude of 217 meters over the sea level.
d'eau (town of water). The term spa is used for				The river with the same name (Geoagiu) flows in this
towns or resorts offering hydrotherapy which can				place into the Mures. The town has a population of
include cold water or mineral water treatments and				about 6,500.
hot thermal baths.				The first settlements in the area can be found in the
Spa towns in Romania :				time of the Dacians, in the 1st century BC, as shown
1. Amara is a town in Ialomita county, Romania. It is				by archeological discoveries. After the Roman
located in Baragan on the shores of Amara Lake, a				conquest, the Romans the fort of Germinsana in the
few kilometers north of the county capital, Slobozia.				2nd century, however, it kept the original Dacian
Amara was elevated to town status in 2004.				name.
2.Bazna (German: Baaßen; Translyvanian Saxon				The name of Germisana meant "hot water" (germi =
dialect: Baußen; Hungarian: Bázna) is a commune				"heat", sara = "waterfall") and it showed that the
located in Sibiu County, Romania. Bazna commune is				Dacians already knew of the thermal springs of the
composed of three villages: Bazna; Boian (Bonnesdorf;				area. Another opinion that the name came from the
Bonnesdref; Alsóbajom); and Velt (Wölz; Welz;				Hungarian name of the river Gyógy which means
Velc or Völc), the name of which is probably				"curative". But more probably, the name is coming
derived from the Hungarian völgy, meaning				from the Hungarian word dió (nut as fruit) with the
"valley".Documented from 1302, the commune has a				suffix -d, so, after the first documentary citation,
Gothic church, also incorporating Romanesque				"villa Gyog" from 1291 appeared as Dyod és Dyog
elements from the 13th century, was erected by				(1397), Aldyogh (1407), Algyogh (1412), Aldyod
local Transylvanian Saxons. The enclosure walls date				(1439), Alsodyod alio nomine Alsoffalwa (around
from the 15th and 16th centuries.				1444).
3.Baile Felix (Hungarian: Félixfürdo) is a thermal				The first documentary citation of Geoagiu (it was
spa resort near the commune of Sânmartin in Bihor				written as "villa Gyog") was in the year 1291, when it
County, Transylvania, Romania. They are among the				was used as a land in the vicinity of Bintinti (now the
best known and most quality thermal spas in the				village Aurel Vlaicu).
country. Baile Felix is also at a close distance to				13.Mangalia ( Greek: Callatis, Panglicara, other historical
Oradea, a major city in western Romania.				names: Pangalia, Tomisovara) is a city and a port on
Baile Felix and 1 Mai are two thermal spa resorts				the Romanian coast of the Black Sea in the
located in a hilly area with beach and oak tree				south-east of Constanta County.
woods, 8 km south of the municipality of Oradea				The following resorts are administered by the
(seat of Bihor County) and 22 km south-east of Bors				Mangalia municipality:
(border checkpoint to Hungary).				* Cap Aurora
Summers are not excessively hot and winters are				* Jupiter
mild, with moderate precipitation (650 mm annually).				* Neptun
In the thermal waters of the Peta river and lake,				* Olimp
having a constant temperature of 30-31°C, live the				* Saturn
snail Melanopsis parreyssi (tertiary relict) and the fish				* Venus
Scardinus racovitzae as well as a rare species of				Cap Aurora is a summer resort on the Romanian
subtropical water lily - Nymphaea lotus thermalis -				Black Sea coast, located between Jupiter and Venus.
tertiary relict, a natural monument.				Jupiter is a summer resort on the Romanian
The resorts host many mineral springs with thermal				seacoast, on the Black Sea, 4 km (2.5 miles) north of
(20-48°C), sulphuric, calcic, sodic, rich in bicarbonate				Mangalia.
waters known since the beginning of the millennium.				Neptun is a summer resort on the Romanian
The soothing effect of the waters on articular and				seacoast, on the Black Sea, 6 km north of Mangalia.
muscular pain and on various rheumatic neuralgias				It is part of a string of such resorts, Olimp, Jupiter,
accounts for the fame of cures in the resort for the				Venus, and Saturn.
treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases				The place is notable for hosting the summer
(rheumatic polyarthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis,				residence of the president, the Nufarul.
conditions after acute articular rheumatism),				Olimp is a summer resort on the Romanian seacoast,
degenerative and articular rheumatic diseases, central				on the Black Sea, 7 km (4.3 miles) north of Mangalia.
and peripheral neurological disorders, gynecological				Saturn is a summer resort on the Romanian
diseases, post-traumatic conditions, endocrine				seacoast, on the Black Sea, 1 km (0.6 miles) north of
disorders.				Mangalia.
The facilities of the two resorts offer treatment of				Venus is a summer resort on the Romanian seacoast,
rheumatism and neurological and gynecological				on the Black Sea, 3 km (1.8 miles) north of Mangalia.
diseases. The modern medical base has at its disposal				A Greek colony named Callatis (Kallatis) was founded
various facilities for procedures involving				in 6th century BC by the city of Heraclea Pontica. Its
electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, aerosols, massage,				first silver coinage was minted approximately 350 BC.
paraffin packing and other water treatments.				In 72 BC, Callatis was conquered by the Roman
The Felix and 1 Mai spa are also ideal for relaxation				general Lucullus and was assigned to the Roman
and visitors can take advantage of the following:				province of Moesia Inferior. Throughout the 2nd
* the pool with artificial waves in 1 Mai (the oldest in				century AD, the city built defensive fortifications and
the country)				the minting of coinage under the Roman emperors
* the thermal water swimming resorts : "Apolo"				Septimius Severus and Caracalla continued. Callatis
(since 1900) in Felix and "Venus" in 1 Mai				suffered multiple invasions in the third century AD but
The ones that have a special interest in the local				recovered in the 4th century AD to retain its status
culture can also look into:				as an important trade hub and port city.
* the chapel in Haieu, a medieval church from the				Since the 9th century it was known by the Turks as
XIV th century, with baroque and romantic elements				Pangalia, by the Romanians as Tomisovara and by
* the Sanifarm baroque building, formerly "Saint				the Greeks as Panglicara and it was one of the most
Vincent" monastery (XVIII century)				important ports on the west coast of the Black Sea.
* the churches in Rontau (15th century) and Haieu				Mangalia (former Callatis) is the oldest city,
(1906)				continuously inhabited, on the present territory of
* the wooden churches in Baile Felix				Romania.
4. Baile Govora (or just Govora) is a Romanian spa				Mangalia is positioned at 43°49' latitude and 28°35'
town in Vâlcea County, about 20 km (12.43 mi)				longitude, with an approximate elevation of 10
south-west of Râmnicu Vâlcea and west of the				meters, 44 km south of the municipality of
Olt river. Notable features of the town (beside its				Constanta, on the same latitude as the French resort
mineral springs, recommended for a variety of				of Nice. Mangalia is one of the southernmost resorts
ailments) include the Govora abbey (built in the 15th				on the Romanian coast of the Black Sea.
century and consolidated by Matei Basarab and later				Mangalia is characterized by a moderate maritime
by Constantin Brâncoveanu) and the nearby				climate (annual average temperature 11°C - one of
"Dintr-un lemn" Monastery (16th or 17th century; the				the highest in Romania) with hot summers (July
legend of its origin was recorded by Paul of Aleppo).				average over 21°C) and mild winters (January
Govora abbey was the site where Matei Basarab				average 1°C), Mangalia being the country's second
introduced the first printing press in Wallachia - where				place, after Baile Herculane, with positive average
the first written code of laws in Romanian was				temperatures in wintertime. Spring comes early but is
published, Pravila de la Govora, in 1640).				cool and autumn is long and warm. In summer,
5. Baile Herculane (Latin: Aqua Herculis, German:				cloudiness is reduced (about 25 sunny days in a
Herkulesbad, Hungarian: Herkulesfürdo) is a town in				month) and the duration of sunshine is of 10–12
Romanian Banat, in Caras-Severin County, situated in				hours a day. Annual precipitation is low (about 400
the valley of the Cerna River, between the Mehedinti				mm).
Mountains to the east and the Cerna Mountains to				The sea breeze is stronger in summer. The natural
the west, elevation 168 meters. Its current population				cure factors are the water of the Black Sea, which is
is approximately 6,000.				chlorided, sulphated, sodic, magnesian, hypotonic
The spa town of Baile Herculane has a long history				(mineralization 15.5g), the sulphurous, chlorided,
of human habitation. Numerous archaeological				bicarbonated, sodic, calcic, mesothermal (21-28°C)
discoveries show that the area has been inhabited				mineral waters of the springs in the northern part of
since the Paleolithic era. The Pestera Hotilor (Cave of				the city, in the area of the beach between Saturn
the Thieves), contains multiple levels, including one				and Venus, the sulphurous peat mud, rich in minerals,
from the Mousterian period, one from the Mesolithic				which is extracted from the peat bog north of the
period (late Epigravettian), and several from the later				city (expected to last another 250 years) and the
Neolithic periods.				marine climate, rich in saline aerosols and solar
Legend has it that the weary Hercules stopped in the				radiation that have a bracing effect on the organism.
valley to bathe and rest. During the 165 years of				The resort has a large, fine-sand beach developed
Roman domination of Dacia, the Herculaneum Spa				for purposes of aeroheliotherapy and wave therapy,
was known all over the Empire. Unearthed stone				as well as high seawalls with a specific microclimate
carvings show that visiting Roman aristocrats turned				where one may benefit from inhalations of saline
the town into a Roman leisure center. Six statues of				aerosols having therapeutic effects.
Hercules from the time have been discovered. A				The Scythian tomb discovered in 1959 where
bronze replica of one of them, molded in 1874,				archaeologists unearthed fragments of a papyrus in
stands as a landmark in the town center.				Greek, the first document of this kind in Romania;
In modern times, the spa town has been visited for				the incineration tombs (the necropolis of the Callatis
its natural healing properties: hot springs with sulfur,				citadel, dating back to the 4th-2nd centuries BC); the
chlorine, sodium, calcium, magnesium and other				ruins of the Callatis citadel (6th century BC); the
minerals, as well as negatively ionized air. Before				Turkish Mangalia Mosque (16th century); the
World War II, when the first modern hotel was built				Archaeology Museum which shelters a rich collection
(i.e. H Cerna, 1930) it remained a popular destination				of amphorae and sculptures from the Hellenistic
with Western Europeans, who lent the town a				epoch, fragments of stone sarcophagi, etc.
refined elegance. During the Communist rule, mass				The city has been well known in recent years as the
tourism facilities were built, such as the 8-12 levels tall				place where one of the largest summer festivals in
concrete hotels Roman, Hercules A, Hercules B,				Romania takes place: Callatis Festival.
Afrodita, Minerva, Diana, UGSR, etc. which dominate				14. Moneasa (Menyháza in Hungarian) is a commune
the skyline. It was visited by all publics, but especially				in Arad County, Romania, is situated at the foot of
popular with employees and retirees, who would				Codru-Moma Mountains. Its administrative surface
spend their state-allotted vacation vouchers there,				stretches over 6824 hectares and it is formed of
hoping to improve their health. Today, they share the				two villages: Moneasa - the commune centre situated
town with a younger crowd, attracted by its				102 km from the city of Arad and Ranusa.
beautiful mountain setting. An incredible array of new				According to the last census, the population of the
private-owned pensions and hotels appeared after				commune counts 1056 inhabitants, out of which
1989, along the Cerna/Tiena river banks, spread from				97,7% are Romanians, 1,7% are Hungarians and
the beautiful romantic train station to t he end of				0,6% are of other or undeclared nationalities.
the hydroelectrical dam. Although very beautiful also,				Traces of inhabitance on this area dating back to the
some of the Austro-Hungarian era buildings are				paleolithic and neolithic have been found in the
derelict for the time being, including many of the				caverns called "Hoanca" and "Izoi".
baths, because of post-communism property related				The first documentary record of Moneasa dates
issues.				back to 1597, while Ranusa was first mentioned in
6.Baile Tusnad (Hungarian: Tusnádfürdo, Hungarian				1556.
pronunciation: ['tu?na?dfyrdø?]) is a town in Harghita,				Moneasa is one of the county's communes that have
Romania. It lies in the Székely Land, an				a high economic potential. The exploitation of black
ethno-cultural region in eastern Transylvania.				and red marble, the springs of mineral waters with
With a population of 1,728, it is the smallest town in				bicarbonate - calcic, sodic, oligomineral and
Romania by population. It is located at an altitude of				semi-thermal, valorizated already in 1866, lumbering
650 metres in the southern reaches of the Ciuc				and conversion of timber, as well as the exploitation
depression, between the Harghita and Bodoc				of other touristic resources are the maintainers of
mountains, in the valley of the Olt, and is to this day				the local economy.
an important spa town. The village of Carpitus				The touristic potential of the commune is an
Kárpitus is administratively part of the town.				exceptional one. Its primary touristic place is the
The town and the surrounding area are famous for				Moneasa health resort. It is working all year round
their spas and mineral waters received from seven				and it is recommended for treatment of different
springs. Nearby is the Lake Sfânta Ana (Szent				diseases, mainly rheumatic ones, as well as digestive
Anna-tó), a famous volcanic crater lake, the only				and gynaecological troubles.
one of its kind in Romania. It is not only an important				The cavern named "Valea Morii", a natural reservation
touristic site but is of cultural importance in the				of national interest, along with the one called
Székely Land, too.[citation needed]				"Liliecilor", the water fall "Boroaia", the "Momuta" peak
The water has long been used for bathing by the				and the ruins of the blast furnace are the top sights
Székely people. The most probable date for the				of the commune.
founding of the bathing station is 1842. It was an				15.Slanic is one of the 14 towns of Prahova County,
alleged miraculous healing of the son of a shepherd				Romania, historically and currently known as a salt
from his rashes that first attracted widespread				extraction center, as well as a spa town, with salt
attention to the therapeutic properties of local				lakes. Two villages, Grosani and Prajani, are
mineral waters, after which a company was founded				administered by the town.
to develop the springs in 1845. The bathing station				As its name (salt in Slavonic) suggests, most of
was destroyed in the skirmishes of 1849, but				Slanic's history and economy are directly related to
Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph, on visiting the town				the presence of relatively large quantities of salt
in 1852, ordered the reconstruction of the baths. The				underground, and even in open air.
rapid development of the town began after 1860.				Slanic is also the name of the creek flowing through
The Mikes-source was named in honour of count				the town, tributary of Varbilau River, which in turns is
Benedek Mikes, chairman of the spa committee, who				a tributary of Teleajen River.
appointed a chemist at his own expense to analyse				Although technically incorrect, the compounded name
the water of the spring bearing his name. This				Slanic Prahova is also being used especially in other
marked the start of the scientific evaluation and				parts of Romania. This alternative name was probably
utilisation of local mineral waters. The Stefánia				generated to help discern between Slanic and another
Medical Center was opened in 1890 and remained the				Romanian town, Slanic Moldova.
treatment center of the spa until 1975. Lake Csukás				The town is famous for its salt lakes (or Bai): The
(now: Ciucas) was artificially created in 1900, and				Shepherd's (Baia Baciului), The Green (Baia Verde)
the big hotels of the town were built in the 1970's.				and The Red (Baia Rosie) Lakes, as well as for the
The settlement was historically part of the Székely				Old (Salina Veche) and New (Salina Noua) Salt Mines.
Land area of Transylvania and belonged to				While salt is still being extracted from the New Salt
Csíkszék district until the administrative reform				Mine, the Old Mine is open to the public now, being
of Transylvania in 1876, when it fell within Csík				used as a spa, amusement center and museum of
County in the Kingdom of Hungary. After the Treaty				the salt mining industry. International contests of
of Trianon of 1920, it became part of Romania and				Indoor Model Aircraft Flying (Modellism) take place
fell within Ciuc County during the interwar period. In				annually in the upper level (Mina Mihai) of the Old Mine.
1940, the second Vienna Award granted the				Other worthwhile tourist objectives, all within easy
Northern Transylvania to Hungary and it was held by				reach for any untrained hiker, are a local water spring
Hungary until 1944. After Soviet occupation, the				named The Cold Fountain (Fântâna Rece), the TV
Romanian administration returned and the town				Relay Tower (Releu) beyond The Fir Forest (Padurea
became officially part of Romania in 1947. Between				de Brazi), Beacon's Hill (Dealul cu Semn), The Salt
1952 and 1960, the commune fell within the Magyar				Mountain (Muntele de Sare) with the legendary Bride's
Autonomous Region, between 1960 and 1968 the				Cave (Grota Miresei), now partially collapsed due to
Mures-Magyar Autonomous Region. In 1968, the				rain erosion, as well as The Green Rock (Piatra
province was abolished, and since then, the				Verde) and The Colt's Small Hill (Delusorul Mânzului).
commune, as a town, has been part of Harghita				16. Sovata (Hungarian: Szováta) is a town in Mures
County.				County, Transylvania, central Romania.
The population of the town is 1,728, it has a				It formed part of the Székely Land region of the
Székely Hungarian majority with 1,615 (93.46%)				historical Transylvania province. The first data about
Hungarians (2002 census). There are also small				Sovata are from 1578. By 1583 it already was a
communities of ethnic Romanians (6.14%) and Roma				village.
(0.40%).				Until 1918, the village belonged to the Maros-Torda
Therapeutic indications				County of the Kingdom of Hungary. After the Treaty
* Cardiovascular disease (post heart attack recovery,				of Trianon of 1920, it became part of Romania.
circulatory problems);				Due to its warm water and salty lakes it became
* Valvular disease of the heart muscle, hypertension,				increasingly popular during the next centuries. It
circulatory problems);				gained the status of town in 1952.
* Nervous system disorders (neurasthenia,				According to the 2002 census the town had a
neurovegetative dystonia, secondary asthenic				population of 11,614 of which 10,465 (90.10%) were
conditions, physical and intellectual fatigue);				Hungarians and 909 (7.82%) Romanians.
* Digestive problems (stomach diseases, functional				Sovata is situated between the Corund River and the
bowel disorders, chronic gastritis, enterocolitis, biliary				valley of the Târnava Mica River. It can be reached
dyskinesia);				from Târgu-Mures, Miercurea-Ciuc and Odorheiu
* Endocrine disorders (hyperthyroidism mild adrenal				Secuiesc on the 13A main road and from Reghin on a
insufficiency, Basedow's disease);				connection road. Coordinates: 46°35'37.59"N /
Types of treatments				25°4'31.96"E
* Spa with CO2, mofettes, galvanic baths, massage;				3 villages are administratively part of the town:
* Paraffin, herbal baths, massage;				* Capeti / Kopács
* Magneto-diaflux, ionization medical gymnastics;				* Iliesi / Illyésmezo
* Internal treatment with mineral water, manual				* Sacadat / Szakadát
reflex massage;				* In 2004; the village of Sarateni broke away to
* Magnet therapy, soil treatment;				form an independent commune.
Elements of natural treatment				The geological events in 1875 gave birth to the Bear
* Carbonated mineral water, chlorine, sodium,				Lake, which is unique in Europe, its water being
bicarbonate;				helio-thermal and salty, with well-known therapeutic
* Moffettes;				effects (for chronic gynecological symptoms, severe
* Subalpine tonic-stimulant bioclimate;				rheumatic pains, peripheral nervous system and
Composition of mineral water sources				post-accidental motor diseases).
* Stanescu Spring: output of 405 l / h, T 7 ° C, pH				There are four more salty lakes: Nut Lake, Black
6.2; naturally carbonated, with bicarbonate, sodium,				Lake, Red Lake and Green Lake. In the interwar
calcium, magnesium;				period, Sovata became one of the most fashionable
* Apor Spring: output of 7200 l / h, T 7 ° C, pH 5.3;				spas in the country, visited several times even by
hypotonic, naturally carbonated, ferruginous, with				the Romanian Royal Family.
chlorine, bicarbonate, sodium, calcium;				17.Techirghiol (historical name: Tekirgöl) is a town in
* Mikes Spring: free output, T 14 ° C, pH 5.6;				Constanta County, Romania.
hypotonic, naturally carbonated, mildly ferruginous,				The name is derived from the Turkish Tekirgöl
with chlorine, bicarbonate, sodium.				which means "the lake of Tekir". According to a
7. Borsec (Hungarian: Borszék, Hungarian				legend, a blind and crippled old man named Tekir and
pronunciation: [borse?k]) is a town in Harghita County,				his old donkey reached the shore of the lake by
Romania. It lies in the Székely Land, an				mistake. Trying to pull his stubborn animal out of the
ethno-cultural region in eastern Transylvania. The				mud, Tekir was miraculously healed so he could see
town and the surrounding areas are well known for				and walk normally again. Since then the lake has
their spas and mineral waters.				become famous for its healing properties.
It was historically part of the Székely Land area of				Tekir and his donkey are featured in a statue located
Transylvania. Administratively, it belonged to				in the center of the town.
Csíkszék until the administrative reform of				The name also means (in Turkish) "Striped Lake"
Transylvania in 1876, when it fell within the Csík				(tekir - striped, and göl - lake). This is because of
County in the Kingdom of Hungary. After the Treaty				the salinity of the lake; when the wind blows, white
of Trianon of 1920, it became part of Romania and				salt stripes appear on the surface of the lake.
fell within Ciuc County during the interwar period. In				Town is in the south east extremity of Romania
1940, the second Vienna Award granted the				(Constanta County), situated on the north west
Northern Transylvania to Hungary and the				shore of Lake Techirghiol (11.6 km2), elevation 15-20
settlement was held by Hungary until 1944. After				m, 18 km south of the municipality of Constanta and
Soviet occupation, the Romanian administration				very close to the Black Sea (3 km).
returned and it became officially part of Romania in				In Techirghiol the winters are mild and the summers
1947. Between 1952 and 1960, the town fell within				are warm, dominant being the clear skies (the sun
the Magyar Autonomous Region, between 1960 and				shines for more than 2,400 hours every year).
1968 the Mures-Magyar Autonomous Region.				Techirghiol was first marked on the country's map in
Borsec, a resort chiefly known for its mineral water				1893 but developed steadily after 1912, establishing
and favourable climate, is situated in the intracarpatic				itself as a spa town.
depression of the same name, at an altitude of 900				In 1891, Hagi Pandele opened its doors, the first hotel
m.				and cold baths establishment in the town. In 1900 the
Its name is derived from Hungarian "borvizszék"				extraction of therapeutic mud initiated and this led to
meaning "Seat of Mineral Water", the seats being				the construction of many bathing establishments and
traditional administrative units in the Szekely Land.				hotels.
Borsec owes its fame to its mineral waters, known				After World War I, in 1920, Techirghiol started to
for their curing properties. Natural cures (the healing				become a very popular tourist attraction due to its
properties of the microclimate, surrounding air, soil				famous therapeutic mud.
and water) and physiotherapeutic properties are				The sapropelic mud from the Techirghiol Lake is the
reputedly able to improve nutrition and heal a host of				jewel of the resort.In 1924, at the Universal
metabolic disorders. Borsec is a favorable place for				Exposition from Paris, the Techirghiol mud received
rest and recreation: it is a real paradise for those who				the golden medal. Alphons Saligny was the first to
enjoy excursions (known destinations include Poiana				study the therapeutic use of the mud; after this the
Zânelor, the ice cave, the bears' cave, Izvorul				Romanian Institute of Balneology approved it and
Stravechi, Cetatea Bufnitelor), those who like winter				during the 1930s the studies realized by Alphons
sports (on Faget and Fagetel for beginners and those				Saligny and the Institute were the base for solid
more advanced) as well as those who like to fish,				scientific proof regarding the therapeutic actions of
who can try their luck in the waters of Bistricioara or				the sapropelic mud of Techirghiol and the
the Bicaz lake, which are near the resort.				methodology of those treatments.
One famous visitor to Borsec was Moldavian writer				The sapropelic mud of Techirghiol is used warm for
Vasile Alecsandri, who wrote the following in 1845: "at				different kind of procedures:
Borsec they all are brothers, if not in Jesus then in				* Wraps
mineral water [...] one of the most important merits				* Cataplasm
of Borsec is that it gives people human feelings!"				* Water mixed, for baths in bathtubs
Nearby locations include the monasteries of Moldavia				* Massage
(Neamt, Secu, Varatec, Agapia, Durau, Sihastria), the				The use of therapeutic mud is also recommended
Lázár Castle , Lacul Rosu, Cheile Bicazului, Lake				for:
Bicaz, the Durau resort, the Praid salt mine, Sovata,				* Better skin elasticity,
and the ceramics centre of Corund.				* Hydration for cell strengthening and for dryness
According to the 2002 census, the town's population				prevention.
is 2,864, of whom 2,240 (78.21%) are ethnic				* Skin healing ( in cases of psoriasis and eczema)
Hungarians, 21.19% are ethnic Romanians and 0.6%				* A better state of well-being and relaxation
others.				* Improvement of pain from anterior accidents, as
"Borsec, Queen of Mineral Waters" (since 1806) is				well as those from rheumatism and muscular
bottled there and exported to nations such as the				immobility.
United States.				* General detoxification of the organism can easily be
8. Buzias (German: (Bad) Busiasch, Hungarian: Buziás				achieved after a series of general massages with
or Buziasfürdö) is a town in Timis County,				mud, or after a cure of wrappings in the comfort of
Romania. As of 2004, it had a population of 7,738, or				your own home, or in a specialized saloon, or on the
7,714 according to the 2002 census.				seashore.
The town was first mentioned in 1321 in a document				Places of interest
of Charles I of Hungary. It was declared a city in				* Techirghiol Lake
1956.				* Saint Mary Monastery
Buzias is an old health spa, the first establishments				* Techirghiol Balneotherapy Center
being built in 1819. In 1839 was declared a spa. The				18.Sinaia ( population: 14,636) is a town and a
mineral waters of Buzias are used in the treatment				mountain resort in Romania. The town was named
of a wide range of diseases. They are also bottled				after Sinaia Monastery, around which it was built; the
for common use.				monastery in turn is named after the Biblical Mount
The park of Buzias, with a surface of over 20 ha, is				Sinai. King Carol I of Romania built his summer home,
a dendrological park with many rare species of trees,				Peles Castle, near the town.
the most important being the plane (Platanus). The				Sinaia is about 60 km northwest of Ploiesti and 50
architectural symbolic element of the spa is the				km south of Brasov, in a mountainous area on the
covered colonnade of the park built in				Prahova River valley, just east of the Bucegi
Turkish-Byzantine style, unique to Romania. The only				Mountains. The altitude varies between 767 m and
two other similar promenades in Europe are found in				860 m.
Karlovy Vary and Baden-Baden.				The city is a popular destination for hiking and winter
9. Calimanesti-Caciulata, often known just as				sports, especially downhill skiing. Among the tourist
Calimanesti, is a town in Vâlcea County, southern				landmarks, the most important are Peles Castle,
Romania. It is situated in the historical region of				Pelisor Castle, Sinaia Monastery, Sinaia Casino, Sinaia
Oltenia and the northern part of the county, on the				train station, and the Franz Joseph and Saint Anne
traditional route connecting the region to				Cliffs. Sinaia was also the summer residence of the
Transylvania, and at the southern end of the Olt				Romanian composer George Enescu, who stayed at
River valley crossing the Southern Carpathians.				the Luminis villa.
The location of several thermal springs,				The climate is a characteristic of low-altitude
Calimanesti-Caciulata is known as a spa town. During				mountain passes. Annual average temperature: 8°C;
the 20th century, many hotels and treatment facilities				Average temperature in June: 15°C; Average
were built in Caciulata, a northern area of the town				temperature in January: -4°C.
which is close to Cozia Monastery. The Monastery				Summers are bracing and very rainy in the beginning
was build by Mircea The Old in 1388 which is also the				of the season. Winters are relatively mild, with heavy
day of the city Calimanesti and Ramnicu Valcea (just				snow. Average annual rainfall is 900 mm. The
south on DN7). The area around the town is full of				maximum monthly registered rainfall was in June (173
fresh water springs and spa waters that are not in				mm). The minimum rainfall was recorded in
use. The old town was a bit smaller, the island you				September (55 mm) and February (40 mm).
see on river Olt was bigger and the road was on				A uniform layer of snow is deposited usually in
what is now the river bed. In 1918 it was the major				November and it melts from March to April,
point of invasion in Transylvania. The town is build				sometimes at the beginning of May. The thickness of
along DN7 (Drum-Road,National-National) National				the snow layer varies between 20 centimeters and 3
Road 7. The second most used road in Romania,				meters in higher elevations.
used by Romanians to travel up to Transylvania and				In recent years, Sinaia has felt the effects of global
recently often used to go to Hungary, Austria and				climate change – change that has meant shorter
many other EU nations.				summers, with temperatures frequently over 30°C,
10. Covasna (Hungarian: Kovászna ; German:				a slight reduction in the length of spring and autumn,
Kowasna) is a town in Covasna county, Transylvania,				and relatively longer winters (end of October –
Romania, at an altitude of 550–600 m.				beginning of May), colder winters with entire weeks
Known as the "town of 1,000 mineral springs,"				dominated by frost ( -19°C to -25°C) and
Covasna is famous for its mineral waters. Each spring				numerous blizzards.
has a different mixture of minerals, chiefly carbon				Proponents claim that Sinaia has a refreshing and
dioxide, sulfur, and ammonia. Its name is derived from				stimulating climate that is beneficial to the human
the Slavic word Cvaz, meaning sour, referring to the				body. There are also some mineral springs in Câinelui
taste of its mineral waters.				Valley that have sulphur-ferric mineral water and
Chiurus (Hungarian: Csomakorös) is a village				contain other soluble minerals.
administratively part of the town. The village has a				In the town of Sinaia and its surroundings restrictions
population of 451 and has an absolute Székely				are in place regarding cutting down or picking up flora.
Hungarian majority.				The felling of trees is not allowed. It is forbidden to
According to the 2002 Census, Covasna has 11,369				pick up any alpine plants. Severe punishment may be
inhabitants. It has a Hungarian majority: 7,549 or				in store for those who gather these plants: the
66.4%. 3,672 (32.3%) Romanians also live in the				Mountain Peony (Rhododendron Kotsky), Edelweiss
town.				(Leontopodium alpinum), and the Yellow Gentiana
* 1567 - First mentioned in a document.				(Gentiana lutea). Tourist camping is only authorized in
* 1952 - Covasna became a town.				designated places, following necessary and
The famous Hungarian explorer and linguist Sándor				compulsory protection standards.
Korösi Csoma was in Chiurus/Csomakorös in 1784.				The mountainous area in which Sinaia is located is in
Korösi is widely seen as the founder of Tibetology,				the Bucegi Natural Park region. The Park covers a
he was the compiler and author of the first				total area of 326.63 square kilometres, of which 58.05
Tibetan-English dictionary and grammar book. He died				square kilometres are under strict protection and
in Darjeeling, India in 1842.				shelter natural monuments. The Bucegi Natural
A statue in his honour was erected in the centre of				Preserve area includes all the abrupt areas of the
the village in 1972 and there is an exhibition in the				mountains Vârful cu Dor, Furnica, and Piatra Arsa.
cultural centre.				The mountainous area is continuously patrolled by
11. Eforie ( historical names (for Eforie Sud): Baile				mountain rescue patrols as well as by members of
Movila, Carmen-Sylva, Vasile Roaita) is a town and a				the Mountain Police.
holiday resort on the Black Sea shore, in Constanta				At the entrance to the Cumpatu district, one can find
County, Romania. It is located about 14 kilometers				the "Sinaia alder-tree grove" botanical reservation
south of Constanta. Techirghiol Lake lies nearby.				placed under the protection of the Romanian
Eforie Sud, the south part of the city, was founded				Academy and the Bucharest Biology Institute. In the
by the aristocrat Ion Movila in 1899, when he erected				same district, there is also another ecological research
a hotel named Baile Movila (Movila Spa). In 1928, the				station under the patronage of UNESCO –
spa was renamed Carmen-Sylva, after the pen name				Jacques-Yves Cousteau, belonging to the University
of Queen Elisabeth of Romania. In 1950, after the				of Bucharest, which also includes a museum of Bucegi
establishment of the Communist regime, the name of				Mountains fauna in a laboratory for nature protection.

Cell Immune

Spa towns in Romania

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