Hévíz

Hévíz

Lake Hévíz
Hévíz

Location of Hévíz

Coordinates: 46°47′32″N 17°11′06″E / 46.79234°N 17.18497°E / 46.79234; 17.18497Coordinates: 46°47′32″N 17°11′06″E / 46.79234°N 17.18497°E / 46.79234; 17.18497
Country  Hungary
County Zala
Area
  Total 8.31 km2 (3.21 sq mi)
Population (2012)
  Total 4,375
  Density 526.47/km2 (1,363.6/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 8380
Area code(s) 83

Hévíz (German: Heuwies) is a spa town in Zala County, Hungary, about 8 kilometres (5 miles) from Keszthely.[1]

Description of the lake

The town is located near Lake Hévíz, the world’s second-largest thermal lake, but biologically the biggest active natural lake. Its temperature is affected by the combination of hot and cold spring waters, coming from 38 meters underground. The water breaks out from a spring cave, at approximately 410 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 not changed for years[2] and even on the coldest winter days doesn’t 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).[3]

History

The lake's healing properties have been well known for centuries people lived here even at the end of the Stone Age. The foundation of bath culture was laid by the Romans in the 2nd century. 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.[4]

Attractions to the city

The city provides facilities for visitors seeking to use the medicinal waters of the lake, including entertainment, hotels, parks, and sports.[5]

See also

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 4/27/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.