Széchenyi baths, Budapest, Hungary

1. Széchenyi baths, Budapest, Hungary[pic 1][pic 2][pic 3][pic 4][pic 5][pic 6][pic 7][pic 8]

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Szechenyi Spa Baths Outdoor Pool http://www.bathsbudapest.com/szechenyi-bath

I have particularly appreciated the visit of the Szechenyi Spa Baths in Budapest. Except for the fact that there is a stinky sulphur smell in all the building, my family and me found this place quite awesome. Located on the west bank of the Donau River, in the centre of the city of Pest, close to the heroes’ square, surrounded by trees of the city park, I had the impression of being in a palace. The space is very big. Inside and outside are luxuriously built. It shows the importance given to bath in the Hungarian culture. When I was outdoor I found the atmosphere otherworldly with this sumptuous yellow ochre architecture and the steam leaking from the basins. Moreover the discovery of the building is linked to a specific path because we have to abide by the order of baths of varying temperatures. It was an incredible experience.

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http://voyages-a-deux.org/2014/11/06/bains-szechenyi-budapest/ (right)

http://www.evaway.fr/circuit-touristique/budapest-la-perle-du-danube/view/80399 another view of the outdoor pools (left)

It is a building built in 1913, by Eugene Schmitterer, in a Neo baroque style. It means that it looks like Baroque architecture but it has been built later, not at the proper period. They are the biggest thermal and medicinal baths of Europe, there are 18 pools (15 indoors and 3 outdoors) whom temperatures vary between 8 and 40°C. This complex also includes saunas, whirlpools, massaging waterbeds, and ice cubes fountains.

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http://voyages-a-deux.org/2014/11/06/bains-szechenyi-budapest/ Indoor pools

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http://voyages-a-deux.org/2014/11/06/bains-szechenyi-budapest/ Indoor pool (left)

http://www.travelpics.fr/2010/10/szechenyi-baths-budapest-spa-thermes-hongrie.html indoor ceiling (right)

Hungary is famous for its thermal baths, powered by natural warm springs. It’s a land of thermal springs which have some medicinal aspects. They are good to treat joint illnesses, joint inflammations, as well as respiratory disorders, stress. Thanks to this, there is an increased health tourism. Due to the Romans who had discovered the thermal springs and the Turkish people who had converted them, the thermal baths represent a big part in the way of life of these countries (not only Hungary, but many more Eastern countries).On top of that this is a treatment which can be prescribed by doctors. The baths also have an important social aspect, this is where people are used to meet. They can talk to each other or play chess taking a bath. Hungarian people go there very often, at all periods of their lives, before going to work for example. You can meet parents with young children as well as very old people, who, used to communist practices take nude showers in public.

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