Hévíz

Hévíz
Lake Hévíz
Lake Hévíz
Flag of Hévíz
Flag
Coat of arms of Hévíz
Coat of arms
Location of Zala county in Hungary
Location of Zala county in Hungary
Hévíz is located in Hungary
Hévíz
Hévíz
Location of Hévíz
Coordinates: 46°47′32″N 17°11′06″E / 46.79234°N 17.18497°E / 46.79234; 17.18497
Country Hungary
CountyZala
Area
 • Total
8.31 km2 (3.21 sq mi)
Population
 (2015)
 • Total
4,634
 • Density558/km2 (1,440/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
8380
Area code83

Hévíz (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈheːviːz]) is a spa town in Zala County, Hungary, about 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the city of Keszthely.

The lake

The town is located near Lake Hévíz, Europe's largest thermal lake, and a biologically active natural lake. Its temperature is affected by the combination of hot and cold spring waters, coming from 38 metres (125 feet) underground. The water breaks out from a spring cave, at approximately 500 liters per second, with a temperature of 40 °C (104 °F). The biological stability of the lake is shown by the temperature of the water, which has been similar for years and even on the coldest winter days does not drop below 24 °C (75 °F). That makes bathing possible in the lake year round. In the summer, the water temperature can reach 37 °C (99 °F).

History

The lake's healing properties may have been known for centuries to the people who lived here, as far back as the end of the Stone Age, but were first mentioned in writing as recently as 1731 by Matthias Bel. The city and the bath began developing significantly in the 18th century, related to the Festetics family, who started scientific research about using the water for healing.

Attractions

The town provides facilities for visitors seeking to use the medicinal waters of the lake, including entertainment, hotels, parks, and sports.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gazetteer of Hungary, 1 January 2015. Hungarian Central Statistical Office.
  2. ↑ "Spa Hévíz". Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Tékus, V.; Borbély, É.; Kiss, T.; Perkecz, A.; Kemény, Á.; Horváth, J.; Kvarda, A.; Pintér, E. (27 August 2018). "Investigation of Lake Hévíz mineral water balneotherapy and Hévíz mud treatment in murine osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis models". Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018 (1) 4816905. doi:10.1155/2018/4816905. PMC 6129852. PMID 30224931.
  4. ↑ Tóth, A.N. (2007). "Hungary's Pilot Geothermal Power Plant Generates Unnecessary Scrutiny Concerning the Thermal Lake of Hévíz". Proceedings of European Geothermal Congress 2007, May 30-June 1, Unterhaching, Germany (PDF). Retrieved 27 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "Spa Hévíz". Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "Spa Hévíz". Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  7. ↑ "Evolution of the bathing culture in Hévíz".
  8. ↑ Gyarmati, N.; Kulisch, A. (2008). "History and description of Héviz spa with special emphasis on weight-bath" (PDF). La Presse Thermale et Climatique. 145: 233–242. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "Sights in Hévíz".