Once there was a Greek goddess Hercyna who was wandering around the land of olives and sunny grapes. Just in the middle of her trip she felt thirsty, but there was no water near by. Hercyna stamped with her foot and a spring burst forth out of the earth. Thus, according to this beautiful legend, thermal waters came out.
The therms, located on these waters, were first built in Rome. Nowadays the archeologists find the ruins of the therms, built by the Romans, in the world-known resorts – Karlovy Vary, Vichy, Baden-Baden. The modern hydro-therapy comes from the Western countries; its founder is an Austrian peasant Vincent Prisnitsa, who treated his wounds with hot compresses. After he had healed up his wounds, he became an active defender of hydro-therapy and thermal waters. At the same time a Russian physician A. Nikitin systematized the material on use of sea-water and mud, fresh and mineral water.
Europe
Nowadays thermal springs turned to be unique resorts, and people from all over the world come to have a treatment there. The resort, known as Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, was founded in the 14th century. It was named in honor of the king, who found this spring when hunting in the forest. Since that it brings health to thousand of tourists and takes care of their beauty.
Almost all Europe is “pierced” with magic springs. Baden-Baden is a small city, which is known with more than 20 springs. The average temperature of these subterranean springs id 58-68 grades, as they come forth out of the earth. In Hungary there are hot springs in Chavez, Duberstein, Khaidusoboslo and Balatogfured. The leader country is Bulgaria where there are about 530 mineral waters. Of course, to have such a treatment costs much. Three hour stay in a thermal aqua park in Andorra costs 20 dollars per a person, in Budapest – only 5 dollars.
That’s a fun to see in the middle of January a hot pond, around which there are trees with green leaves and in which there are ducks, swimming and diving into the water. So it is a pond with thermal water.
So what is it a therm or thermal water? This word comes from Greek “heat”, “warmth”. Subterranean springs, warmed up by the rocks, have a temperature 37-42 degrees, if it is higher, they’re considered to be hypothermal; and if it is 20-37 degrees, they are called warm or subthermal. Thermal waters are often located near volcanoes or geysers. Together with temperature rise there comes mineralization process, concentration of natrium, silicic acid, fluorine, chlorine and other elements. Thus, temperature is one of the main factors, which influences the chemical composition and balneal properties of the waters.
All the thermal waters have useful properties
Hot waters, coming out of the earth, have different chemical composition. They can be carbonic-sulfide, carbonic and methanic. Warm water has a strong effect on state of health, and it becomes stronger, if the water contains bromine, iodine, natrium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine, krypton, tungsten and other active elements. Lying in a pool of boiling water, you relax; have rest and restore your metabolism. Hydrotherapy acts on release of pressure; as a result you have a better sleep and capacity for work. Moreover, there is often water massage in bathhouses. In well-equipped bathhouses you can find waterfalls, whirlpools, different kinds of shower.
North
Well, it’s quite surprising but there are lots of geysers and hot spring in the north of Russia, which are useful for health. Primorie is known for its unique nitric waters. Their temperature in the water outlet is +200-360 degrees. If you are not afraid to travel far from your home, go to Kamchatka. There are the largest thermal ponds there. There is mild climate in the island, rich flora and unforgettable landscapes.
