No wonder: Hévíz is one of the most attractive destinations in Hungary

Water-lilies, steaming water even in winter, bathers swimming with joy, and characteristic buildings. This is the typical image pictured by the postcards coming from Hévíz in the past hundred years. According to these pictures, the huge bathing culture was already present at the beginning of the 1900s. Origo.hu has explored Hévíz to find out what more the town can offer beyond its wonderful bath.

Of course, everyone who visits the town starts the tour with the Thermal Lake of Hévíz. This is the biggest curative, thermal lake of Europe. From a bird’s eye view, this 4.5-hectare-big lake reminds the viewer of an enormous raindrop. It used to be a dangerous swamp, thanks to which the lake has both cold and hot springs. This results in the attractive feature of the bath that the 38-degree-hot water does not fall under 20-22 degrees in the coldest weather either. Thus, the bathing season never ends – not even in autumn or winter.

Indian water-lilies are just fine here

All the brochures of Hévíz must contain at least one photo of the wonderful water-lilies, which became the symbol of Hévíz. They are called nymphaea. They are also part of the town’s coat of arms. Sándor Lovassy, professor of Keszthely’s Academy of Economics naturalized them in 1898. These flowers came from India. The water-lilies are protected, they flourish from spring until the end of autumn. Their huge leafs moderate the lake’s steaming, while their runners protect the mud in the deep.

Bathers can smear the mud on their body, which not only cures them but also makes them more beautiful – allegedly. The medicinal water rich in minerals and the mud are said to heal locomotor disorder and rheumatic diseases successfully.