Spa

The term spa is associated with water treatment of disease by bathing. Spa towns, spa resorts, and hot springs resorts often offer various health treatments. People have believed in the helpful powers of mineral waters back to prehistoric times. This practice has been popular worldwide. It is especially widespread in Europe and Japan.

Origins of the term

The term came from the name of the town of Spa, Belgium. This name was known back in Roman times, when it was called Aquae Spadanae.^[1] It may be related to the Latin word "spargere" meaning to scatter, sprinkle or moisten.^[2]

Spa Media

The medicinal spa of Harkány is supplied by thermal wells that produce high sulphide content chloride water containing sodium-, calcium- and hydrogen carbonate.
The town of Spa, Belgium
Ancient Roman Baths in Bath, England
Byzantine Bath in Thessaloniki
The Slatina Spa in the Republic of Srpska, BiH
The spa town of Hisarya in Bulgaria. An ancient Roman city was built in the 1st century AD because of the mineral springs in the vicinity.
Coriovallum Roman baths in Heerlen, the Netherlands (reconstructed)
Roman Baths of Alange, Extremadura, Spain
Hot springs at Aachen, Germany, 1682
Bagno del Papa in Viterbo

References

↑ Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences, George Rosen, Yale University Dept. of the History of Science and Medicine, Project Muse, H. Schuman, 1954
↑ A brief history of spa therapy, A van Tubergen and S van der Linden

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[1] Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences, George Rosen, Yale University Dept. of the History of Science and Medicine, Project Muse, H. Schuman, 1954

[2] A brief history of spa therapy, A van Tubergen and S van der Linden

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