The Great Spa Towns of Europe is a transnational
World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
consisting of a selection of 11
spa town
A spa town is a resort town based on a mineral spa (a developed mineral spring). Patrons visit spas to "take the waters" for their purported health benefits.
Thomas Guidott set up a medical practice in the English town of Bath in 1668. H ...
s across seven European countries. They were developed around natural
mineral water
Mineral water is water from a mineral spring that contains various minerals, such as salts and sulfur compounds. Mineral water may usually be still or sparkling (carbonated/effervescent) according to the presence or absence of added gases.
Tra ...
springs.
From the early 18th century to the 1930s, Western Europe experienced an increase in spa and bathing culture, leading to the construction of elaborate bath houses.
These would often include gardens, casinos, theatres, and villas surrounding the springs and the bath houses.
Nomination
The city of
Bath was originally inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1987.
The efforts to get the Great Spas of Europe onto the World Heritage List began in 2012, and the nomination was submitted in 2019.
On 24 July 2021, the Great Spas of Europe were officially inscribed on the World Heritage List.
List of spa towns
References
External links
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The Great Spa Towns of EuropeUNESCO collection on Google Arts and Culture
{{Authority control
World Heritage Sites in Europe
Spas