Centralno Blatno Kupaliste

Daruvar is a spa town in the hills of Slavonia, with the Toplica stream running through the district, whose warm springs have been used for bathing since Roman times, when the settlement was known as Aqua Balissae or Aquae Balissae. The Centralno Blatno Kupaliste (Kupalište), the Central Mud Baths, is the part of the spa complex devoted to the treatment that gives Daruvar much of its modern reputation: therapeutic mud, applied in a controlled way to ease pain and stiffness. It lies in the spa district, close to Julijev Park, the green centre of the town's health area.

Mud therapy is an old form of treatment. In a spa, the mud, called peloid, is a fine, mineral-rich material that has been matured in water from the springs, and it is warmed and applied to the body, often as a pack that is left on for a period before being rinsed away. The heat and the minerals are thought to relieve muscle and joint conditions, among them rheumatic problems, and to help with recovery after injury. In Daruvar, the mud is combined with the warm, mineral water of the local springs, which is rich in minerals and has a high temperature, and the two are used together in baths, pools and treatment programmes supervised by doctors and therapists. Visitors should check which treatments are suitable for them, and anyone with a medical condition should consult a doctor before starting.

The setting contributes to the effect. Daruvar's spa district is a calm, green place with mature trees, lawns, flower beds and quiet walks, laid out in the 18th and 19th centuries as part of the planned development of the town by the Janković family. Julijev Park is a landscaped garden with a stream and benches, and the nearby Janković Castle, a Baroque manor, gives a sense of the town's noble past. The other spa facilities, among them Daruvarske Toplice, Daruvar Spa (Daruvarske toplice), the historic Antunova Kupka and the modern Aquae Balissae Thermal Water Park, offer pools, slides and wellness treatments for families and those who prefer a lighter experience.

Opening arrangements, prices and available treatments change over time, so it is best to contact the spa or the tourist office before going. A visit to the mud baths takes a few hours, including rest after the treatment, and visitors are usually advised to drink water and avoid strenuous activity afterwards.

The baths suit spa guests, older travellers and anyone interested in traditional wellness. Combine them with a stroll through the park and a look at the town's Czech heritage, including its beer.