Evaluation of ancient hot springs
Introduction
A spa is a health establishment that uses mineral-medicinal waters declared of public use for therapeutic treatments using hydrotherapy, balneotherapy and crenotherapy techniques, which is known as thermal medicine.[1].
The etymology of spa comes from the Latin balnearius, which means "establishment in which medicinal baths are offered." Its lexical components are: balneum (bath), plus the suffix -ary (place).[2].
Unlike modern spas, spas are usually regulated as health centers and their waters must meet specific requirements for chemical composition and scientifically verified therapeutic properties.[3] In Spain, for example, spas are subject to strict health regulation.[4]
In Latin America and other continents, the word spa also describes sea bathing centers or thalassotherapy (see main article on these spas).
History
ancient origins
The therapeutic use of hot springs dates back to the most ancient civilizations. The Romans developed an elaborate thermal culture with their Roman baths, establishing many of the spas that still operate in Europe. In the Iberian Peninsula, numerous archaeological sites attest to the use of thermal waters since pre-Roman times, such as the hot springs of Caldas de Montbui or Alhama de Granada.
During the Middle Ages, although the use of public baths declined in Western Europe, many thermal springs maintained their medicinal use under monastic or royal control. In the Islamic world, the thermal tradition continued without interruption through the hammams.
modern development
The century marked the revival of thermalism in Europe, with the development of spa towns, such as Bath in England, Spa "Spa (Belgium)") in Belgium (which gave its name to the modern term) and Baden-Baden in Germany. The Enlightenment brought a more scientific approach to the study of mineral-medicinal waters, with the first systematic chemical analyses.
In the 19th century, the golden age of European thermalism, large spa complexes were built that combined medical treatment with social life. Cities such as Vichy, Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně became destinations for the European aristocracy. In Spain, spas such as Mondariz, Archena and Panticosa achieved international fame.[5].