"GET YOURSELF INTO HOT WATER IN HEVIZ!!" Top 5 Page for this destination Heviz by mel_bee

In Hungarian viz means water and the town of Heviz literally means hot water. The main attraction of this little town (and hence the name) is the thermal lake which has a temperature of around 30 degrees. Even in the boiling hot summer, when the last thing you think you could possibly want is to swim in warm water, its surprisingly refreshing and completely relaxing.
If you get the chance, take a quick wander around the flower filled park near one of the entrances to the lake and have a peek at the town as well if you have the time!

It is the main reason why you are coming here after all! So how did it all happen that the public get to enjoy the warm waters? and who has had the chance to enjoy them before you??
The area was inhabited from the end of the 6th century B.C. Archaeologists have found an early Roman villa, altar and a grave meaning that the Romans knew about Hévíz and the properties of its lake. The name of Hévíz was first mentioned in a charter that dates back to 28th March 1328 and was also used in the Middle Ages as well. The lake was used during the Turkish occupation of Hungary especially for soldiers suffering from gout as well as by local people. During the 18th century the lake of Hévíz became well-known and the first scientific analysis was made in 1769. Near the end of the 18 century the lake of Hévíz was already marked on some maps and the name appeared in print for the first time in a geography book in 1780. The Festetics family were interested in the healing waters and established the spa estate which, after development, was often leased out for periods.
Between the two world wars Hévíz became the most important spa of Hungary. The lido and a multi-storied bath house were built. Eventually cubicles and rooms were added and the health resort took shape. During the second world war, the Festetics family left the country and this caused problems for the spa. The only visitors were from Germany and lots of wounded soldiers were cured in the spa between 1944 and 1945. It was nationalized in 1948. In 1952, the Hévíz Public Spa Hospital was established by the Ministry of Health and it became the biggest spa in the country for rheumatic treatment.
During communism, visitors to Heviz came mainly from Hungary and Eastern Europe. But by the mid 1980s more and more guests were coming from Western Europe. The spa was renovated and accommodation services started. After the fall of communism it was privatised and most of today’s guests come from Germany and Western Europe. In fact Heviz is one of the most popular spas in Hungary. Interesting stuff!