Daruvar Spa (Daruvarske toplice)

Daruvar Spa is the medical and wellness side of the thermal springs of Daruvar, a town in western Slavonia, in the Bjelovar-Bilogora region, where warm mineral water has been used for bathing and treatment for a very long time. The spa is a place of treatment and recovery, and it sits alongside the park, the historic bathhouses and the castle that make up the rest of the town's interest for visitors. The water rises naturally at a temperature that is comfortable for bathing, and it is the basis of the town's long reputation as a health resort.

The use of the springs is ancient. The Romans knew the place as Aquae Balissae and built baths here, and traces of their foundations underlie later buildings. The springs were used through the Middle Ages and the Ottoman period, and in the eighteenth century, the noble Janković family, who owned the area, developed the spa seriously, building bathhouses, laying out a park and bringing in physicians. By the nineteenth century, Daruvar had become a fashionable resort for the aristocracy and middle classes of the Habsburg monarchy, with a reputation for the treatment of rheumatic complaints, and the spa tradition has continued without a break into the present.

Today, the spa offers a wide range of medical and wellness programmes. A rehabilitation hospital and polyclinic provide treatment for rheumatic diseases, for recovery after injury or surgery and for neurological conditions, using thermal baths, physiotherapy, exercise and mud applications. Modern pools filled with naturally warm water, saunas and wellness centres serve visitors who come simply to relax, and there is accommodation in hotels and apartments. In recent years the spa has also been used as a training and recovery base for athletes, who value the quiet environment and the facilities. Prices and programmes vary, and it is best to get information from the spa directly, either through its website or by phone, before planning a stay.

The town offers other interests that can fill a visit. The castle of the Janković family and its park, the historic bathhouses and Julius Park are within walking distance, and a memorial room devoted to the Jewish community that once lived in the town recalls the multicultural character of Daruvar, which also has a large Czech minority and an old brewery. The hills around the town have vineyards and trails for walking and cycling, and local restaurants serve the food of Slavonia and of the Czech community.

Daruvar is reached easily by road, and there are bus and train connections. Bring a swimsuit and towel, and check the rules of the pools. The spa suits people who need rest and recovery, couples looking for a quiet weekend and travellers who enjoy historic spa towns. Allow a day, or a few days for treatment.