The thermal lake of Hévíz

The thermal lake of Hévíz is the largest biologically active, natural thermal lake of the world which refreshes both the body and the soul.
The oldest and most well-known bath of Hungary, in accordance with records from the Roman era, has a history of 2000 years. The Hévíz treatment, in its present sense, also dates back more than 200 years.
The 4.4 ha lake is fed by its spring rushing up at a depth of 38 m, containing sulphur, radium and minerals. Due to the high water output of the spring, the water of the lake is completely changed within 85 hours. The water of the Hévíz Lake is equally rich in dissolved substances and gases, combining the favourable effects of naturally carbonated medicinal waters and those containing sulphur, calcium, magnesium, hydrogen-carbonate, as well as those with a slightly radioactive content. The medicinal mud, which covers the bed of the lake in a thick layer, deserves special attention. The Hévíz mud, which is unique of its kind, contains both organic and inorganic substances and the radium-salts and reduced sulphuric solutions in it represent special medicinal factors. The medicinal water and mud originating from the several then thousand year-old Pannonian Sea, together with the complex physiotherapeutic treatments, are suitable for treating all kinds of rheumatic and locomotory diseases.
The temperature of the water is 23-25 C in winter and 33-36 C in summer.
Relaxed floating on the water, the swinging water-lotuses and the green leaves of the trees tranquillize the nervous system and contribute to the psychic factor of recovering. In winter a 'mist cap' is formed from the vapour on the surface of the water which prevents the water from cooling down and at the same time a natural inhalatorium is created. Inhaling the sulphur-hydrogen emitted into the air and the radium-emanation produces favourable curative effects: keeps our vocal cords in a good condition.
The advantageous effects of the Hévíz Lake can also be enjoyed through a drinking-treatment which is suitable for curing stomach and digestive disorders.

The Hévíz Spa and St. Andrew Hospital of Rheumatic Diseases Public Benefit Company is the maintainer of the thermal lake offering a whole range of services to visitors.

Water-lilies

The most beautiful plant of the lake, the water-lily, has become the symbol of Hévíz and has been incorporated into the coat of arms and also the flag of the town. The red Indian water-lily was brought to Hungary in 1898 by Sándor Lovassy, the teacher of the Academy of Economy in Keszthely. Thanks to the naturalization attempts carried out on the lake, the blue and white Egyptian water-lily can also be found in the water, as well as the lighter mutants of the red water-lily. The native white water-lily grows in the drainage canal. The blooming of the strictly protected plants starts as early as the beginning of summer and lasts up to the end of November. The leaves of the water-lily slow down the evaporation of the lake, while the creepers at the bottom of the lake protect the medicinal mud containing radium.