MAGYARORSZÁG	HUNGARY
megye: Zala

map →

The lake of Hévíz (Hungarian hév víz is warm spring') is the largest thermal lake in Europe (47,500 m², 36 m deep). The temperature ranges between 23–26°C in winter and 33–34°C in summer. The water stems from two adjacent springs in a depth of 36–38 m, one supplying cold water (17°C) and the other hot water (41°C). The springs supply about 420 litres of water per second so that the entire lake water is renewed every 26 hours.

Already in the times of the Roman rule in the country the water was used for bathing. In 1795 the health spa was founded by Count György Festetics and was popular ever since. Due to the sulfur content of the water it is used as a spa for the treatment of rheumatic diseases.

The spa building (fürdőház) is depicted on glasses no. 4644 [near left] and no. 1256 [near right]. The labeling on glass no. 4644 [near left] not only mentions Hévíz but also nearby Keszthely (see there).