Egerszalók

Egerszalók
Aerial view of hot springs and spa complex
Aerial view of hot springs and spa complex
Flag of Egerszalók
Coat of arms of Egerszalók
Egerszalók is located in Hungary
Egerszalók
Egerszalók
Location of Egerszalók in Hungary
Coordinates: 47°52′N 20°20′E / 47.867°N 20.333°E / 47.867; 20.333
CountryHungary
RegionNorthern Hungary
CountyHeves
DistrictEger
Area
 • Total23.11 km2 (8.92 sq mi)
Population
 (2015)[2]
 • Total1,981
 • Density86/km2 (220/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
3394
Area code+36 36
KSH code24758[1]
Websitewww.egerszalok.hu
SALIRIS Resort
Travertine

Egerszalók is an open-air spa and village in Heves County in northeastern Hungary. The springs yield 68 °C. mineral water from an aquifer located under the volcanic Mátra Mountains. The spa is located 8 km west of the county seat of Eger, from which it is served by motorbus.[3]

Egerszalok lies 133 km from Budapest, in the Laskó stream valley between the Mátra and Bükk ranges. The village can be easily reached from the M3 highway.

Description[edit]

The historical and geographical associations of Egerszalók have made it a favourite spa in Hungary. The area's waters have been in use since the 1730s, although the current spa only came into operation in 1961. Before entering the spa pools, the steaming water runs down a series of cascades backed and lined with travertine; the gleaming mineral has precipitated from the water as it interacts with air at atmospheric temperatures. The travertine is locally called "salt," and the cascade of water is called "Salt Hill."[3]

Not all of the dissolved solids precipitate. The Egerszalók spa pools contain water rich in calcium, magnesium, and hydrocarbonate minerals. A total of 17 outdoor and indoor pools comprise a total water surface area of 1,900 m².

Surrounding the springs are pine trees, apple trees, and a grove of the beeches for which the nearby Bükk Mountains are known. The region grows Egri Bikavér wine, sometimes called bull's blood wine in English, and spa visitors sometimes enjoy the terroir experience by bathing in the spa and drinking the wine.[3]

The spa is physically connected to the adjacent Salaris Resort Spa and Conference Hotel. For non-guests, admission is charged to the spa. A section of the hot springs has been officially signed and set aside for naturists.[3]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Egerszalók at the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (Hungarian).
  2. ^ Egerszalók at the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (Hungarian). 2015
  3. ^ a b c d Fallon, Steve and Bedford, Neal (2003). Lonely Planet: Hungary (4th ed.). Melbourne: Lonely Planet Publications. p. 337. ISBN 1-74059-152-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)


External links[edit]