spas and thermal springs
the ancient Romans discovered the therapeutic powers of
Turkey’s many thermal springs
There are over one thousand thermal springs or kaplĘca in
Turkey, scattered throughout western Anatolia. The spa holiday
with its pampering and its health and beauty treatments may
seem like a relatively new phenomenon, but the health-giving
properties of Turkey’s natural springs have been renowned
since antiquity. The Romans were well aware of the therapeutic
powers of thermal springs andmineral waters, building the
ancient city of Hierapolis close to the waters of Pamukkale.
Bursa
In Bursa too, at the foot of Mount Uludagđ, it was the Roman
Emperor, Justinian, who first built baths to benefit from
the natural hot springs of Çekirge These were later
enlarged by the Ottoman Sultan Murat I and the Turkish Baths
here, with their warm thermal pools, are still in use today.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Bursa became renowned
amongst Europe’s nobility who came to take the waters,
and Atatürk himself frequented Bursa’s oldest spa
hotel, the Çelik Palas, which was built in 1933. The
thermal waters of the Çekirge springs are composed
of calcium, magnesium sulphate and bicarbonate and are said
to be good for rheumatic, hepatic, and gall bladder diseases;
metabolic and gynaecological disorders and post-operative
problems.
Some thermal waters are simply for relaxation, but others
are purported to have specific health benefits. In either
case, spas in Turkey are monitored by the Ministry of Health
to ensure that they meet required standards of hygiene. These
are some of Turkey’s best known natural springs and
thermal waters, although not all of them have luxurious facilities.
If you are looking for luxury then many of Turkey’s
top hotels now have their own spas and health clubs offering
the latest in health and beauty treatments.
Kangal Sivas BalĘklĘ Çermik
Perhaps the most unusual of Turkey’s spas is the Kangal
Sivas BalĘklĘ Çermik, the ‘Hot Springs with Fish’
situated 13 kms from the town of Kangal in the province of
Sivas in Central Anatolia. As the name suggests, the thermal
waters contain numerous tiny fish. They are 2-10 cms in length
and play an important role in the cure of psoriasis –
apparently by scraping or nibbling off the diseased areas
of skin. The thermal springs come from five different sources,
flowing at a rate of 130 litres per second, and the fish come
directly from the springs into two large pools. The water
itself contains bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium sulphate,
chlorine, sodium and magnesium as well as carbon dioxide gas.
It is said to be beneficial for complaints such as rheumatism
as well as for gynaecological complaints and skin diseases.Although
accommodation here is not luxurious, there aremotels and restaurants
close to the spa.
The Balçova Springs
The Balçova Springs, located 10 kms west of IÏzmir,
have also been appreciated since ancient times. They are situated
on the site of the Baths of Agamemnon, known in antiquity
for the therapeutic qualities of their waters. According to
legend, Agamemnon consulted an oracle and was told to bring
soldiers who had been wounded during the campaign against
Troy here. The Balcova hot springs contain sodium chloride
and calcium bicarbonate and are recommended for the treatment
of rheumatic diseases, digestive maladies, post-injury healing
and post- operative problems, along with calcification and
metabolic disorders. The spa complex boasts 400 beds together
with Turkey’s largest indoor thermal pool as well as
a patient therapy pool, sauna, massage, underwater massage,
ultrasound, physical exercise, electro-therapy and physical
therapy. IÏzmir’s Ege University has built a treatment
centre nearby
Çes¸me
The popular Aegean resort of Çes¸me, situated
some 80 kms west of IÏzmir, takes its name, which means ‘fountain’
from the natural hot springs which abound in the area. It
is a perfect choice for anyone who wishes to combine spa treatments
with a beach holiday and there is a wealth of good hotel accommodation
nearby. Some hotels even have their own spas which make use
of the natural mineral water. The most famous of the hot springs,
IlĘca, is set right alongside a long, white sandy beach of
the same name. These springs contain a high level of sodium
chloride,magnesium sulphate, and calcium bicarbonate. As well
as the hot mineral pools and baths, the spa also offers underwater
massage and electrotherapy.
Dalyan
Thosewho just want a bit of fun and to combine the benefits
of natural mineral waters with a good day out, should consider
a visit to one of the thermal baths near Dalyan, situated
close to Köycegđiz Lake, and within easy reach of both
Fethiye and Marmaris. The ancient settlement of Sultaniye,
with its mud baths and water pool is billed as making you
look 10 years younger - but you have to smother yourself in
the strongsmelling mud first. There is a second spring at
Velibey Thermal Baths, 1.5 km north of Riza Çavus¸
with similar qualities. These hot springs contain sodium chloride,
hydrogen, sulfur, bromide, fluoride, and are said to be good
for the treatment of rheumatic, dermatological and gynaecological
diseases, as well as neurological and physical exhaustion.
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