Since the ancient times the use of thermal water to treat all kind of illness and ailments was continuous. Greece made the sea, river and lakes baths in a sophisticated technique that needed special buildings. However were the Romans with the engineering who defines the facilities in its more complete and definitive way whose following civilization got as legacy.
The original baths were converted into hot springs, while the Muslim civilization called it hamman and alhamas. All the names were conserved in our country over the time and the distance.
In addition, the Spanish underground is very rich in aquifer pockets which are linking with the geothermal energies. It gives minerals components to the water that if you use correctly it help to treat illness, ailments, even to restore the emotional and motor functions.
But thanks to the Romantics travelers during the 18th, 19th and first of the 20th century we could re-discover this natural and cultural Heritage of our mineral and medicinal waters, of bathing establishments whose traditions comes from the ancient times.
1. Valbuena Monastery, San Bernardo, Valladolid: Was built for the Benedictine monks who arrive from France in the 12th century. A millennium later, after the secularization of the monastic reserve was open to be a touristic Spa resort with facilities thanks to a mineromedicinal aquifer that runs 386 meters deep, from the San Bernardo Spring whose monks used to water the vineyards that today are parts of D.O. Ribera del Duero.
2. Lanjarón Spa. Lanjarón, Granada: The Mozarabs discovered it and enjoyed the crystal waters. Also they give the name to Lanjarón village. The history of Lanjarón waters come from the 17th century, in 1760, when the healthy characteristics were discover by doctors. There is a legend that said that in 1774 a terminally ill man drank these waters and was totally recovered. Since this year the fame of these springs was increasing more and more by the variety and the riches of the minerals. In the 19th century the springs were use as a therapeutic and in a continuing way.
3. Thermal Spa Complex of La Virgen. Jaraba, Zaragoza: The La Virgen Spa is located in the bottom of a canyon in protected zone in gorges Mesa river. In the middle there is an amazing place surrounded by natural beauty, it is in the bottom of the canyon and flanked by two natural cliffs at both sides of 90 and 100 meters of high, to 17 kilometers from the Stone Monastery. The properties of its waters were knows from the Roman period. It sprout at 30-34 degrees and is specially indicated to diabetes treatment, liver diseases, rheumatism, arthritis, gout and stress. Is distinguished its amazing thermal water tank.
4. Alange Spa. Badajoz, Extremadura: The first construction of the Spa was from the roman period. There is a registration where Licinio Sereniano dedicated the spa to Juno to thankful her about the health of his daughter, then this meaning that in the 3th century B.C. the spa already existed. From the original building are conserved two circles baths covered with a dome and declared National Monument, although some investigators said that the old roman spa the baths were completed by hot water pools and steam baths, making a big thermal establishment. After the fall down of the Roman Empire others civilizations used the baths, among them the Arabs, who they give the name to the Spa and the Village Alange which means wáter from Alá. But after this and during lot of years it was forgoten and abandoned until the ending of the 18th century when the romans baths were restored. In the 19th century the place was bought by the village’s doctor (Don Abdón Berbén y Blanco). In this period began the Spas fame in Central Europe and it’s increased with gardens, Italian marble baths, and later in the seventies the facilities and techniques are upgraded and also began the construction of the Varinia Serena’s Hotel in 1989 and the Aqualange Grand Hotel in 2006. In 1993 the Spa was declared World Heritage by the UNESCO and nowadays is an important thermal station that integrates the roman buildings and the modern infrastructures mixing traditional therapy with the last wellness and hydrotheraphy trends.
As you can realize this Spa so unknown for the Spanish has lot of things to provide and a beautiful history to show. And not only this! Sevilla4Real offers a new day trip in these charming rural villages: Santa Olalla del Cala, Zafra and the last one Alange, situated in Extremadura, our neighbor community. In this day trip we are offering the cultural and relaxing combination during one day that doesn’t leave you indifferent!
If you want more information about the day trip, don’t hesitate in contact us. Also you can book the day trip directly from here.
