Lake Hévíz, a unique natural phenomenon
Do you know what is the largest thermal lake in Europe? It’s Lake Hévíz, located near the western end of Lake Balaton. Some even say it’s the largest in the world, or at least the largest natural one.
With an area of 47500 square meters, it’s quite surprising that the water of the lake is completely changed within 85 hours by its spring rushing up at a depth of 38 meters. The curative effect of the lake was known since the times of the ancient Romans, although it’s “only” in the last 200 years that there are treatments taking place there.
Lake Hévíz combines naturally carbonated medicinal waters with other kind of waters containing sulphur, calcium, magnesium, hydrogen-carbonate. Some waters even have a slightly radioactive content, while it is said that one of the possible causes of the curative effects of the lake is due to bacteria, which is indeed the dominant life form present here, thanks to the unique temperature (26C to 28C even in winter!) and chemical composition of the waters. One of the best curative features is the Hévíz mud, which is a pretty unique kind of mud. It contains radium-salts and reduced sulphuric solutions, and it you can find both organic and inorganic substances; a rather unique medicinal combination.
Due to all these qualities in the waters and in the mud it’s no surprise that thriving health tourism industry has grown in the area, with hospitals, hotels and wellness centers. Whether you plan to go for health reasons, or simply to relax and pamper yourself, Lake Hévíz can offer you pure bliss.
