On the trail of mineral waters

Sâncrăieni commune

The mineral springs of Sâncrăieni are known and popular for a long time. The village best known springs are known as András Pista, Bors Anti, Bors András, Fessőréti, Kányai and Vasútmelléki. The most crowded two mineral water fountains, one near the brick factory and the András Pista spring, were renovated in 2011. Abovementioned springs are type of waters, which contains calcium, magnesium, sodium and carbohydrates, with a slightly thermal character, but consumed as table water by locals. The main therapeutic effects are the digestive disorders, high blood pressure and anemia. The water used as bath is mainly used to treat musculoskeletal symptoms and rheumatism. In Sâncrăieni you can find the Borșaroș traditional bath with mineral water, the Perla Harghitei and Tiva Harghita mineral water factories. In the commune there are 18 known mineral water springs. In Sântimbru Spa, which partially belongs to Sâncrăieni commune, there are another 5 known springs.

Sântimbru commune

The most mineral springs in Sântimbru lies on the border of the village in the source region of Bánya and Vermed Streams. The source region of Vermed Stream is a botanical and geological protected area. On this territory many subsequent volcanic activities can be detected. Among the numerous springs whose water reaches the surface, seven were chemically analyzed. Best known springs are known as Hídmelleti, Istompi, Aranyliki, and Fortyogók. Vermed Stream flows parallel with Bánya Stream and it is also the place of several mineral springs and subsequent volcanic activity. The best known source of this area is called Hétölvesi, which contains sodium, calcium, magnesium and carbohydrates. In the village there are another three mineral springs, of which the Fesszegi spring being consumed with delight daily by the locals because of the high content of minerals. Together in the commune there are 9 known springs, and in Sântimbru Spa, which partially belongs to Sântimbru commune, there are another 5 known springs.

Sânsimion commune

The mineral water springs of Sânsimion erupts from the west and southwest floodplain of the village. Water gushing to the surface has a high concentration of iron and it mixes with fresh water with low mineral content. Close to the southwest border of the village three sources can be found, namely: Hevederfenyei, Borréti and Lucsi. Two springs belong to the western border, namely Aladári and Fehérföldi. In the source area of Aszó Stream, next to the village, dry gas eruptions can be found. In the commune there are 17 known springs.

Vrabia village

Vrabia village is famous for its mineral springs erupting from the soil. Mineral water gushed often in local people court. Nowadays due to the regularization of the Olt River, springs mostly dried up. Currently there is only one source, entered the public consciousness, bearing the name of Zsidó, after a Jew merchant, who in the twentieth century bottled the mineral water and marketed it.

Tușnad village

Perhaps the most famous fountain in the surrounding area is the Bagoly source, being located near the highway and near the mineral water museum, which is unique in the country. The spring was first captured by the major of the village in 1957. First the spring was named Szeretszegi spring, then in 1987 after a renovation, it was renamed as the Bagoly spring. The mineral spring contains water rich in sodium, calcium, magnesium and carbohydrates, which is slightly laxative, as well as being effective in treating inflammation and liver bile.

 Tușnad Nou village

In the village is a known source called Bátordi or Köpe. The erupted water contains calcium, iron, magnesium and carbohydrates and is bottled and sold under the name Tusnad, after the elimination of the high iron content. In the commune there are two botanical reservations, vitalized by mineral water: Nadaș and Valea de Mijloc fens.

Tusnad Spa

Also known as “Pearl of Transylvania”, Tusnad Spa is one of the most beautiful mountain resorts not only in Harghita County, but also in the country, which was declared a town in 1968. Geographical context and richness of natural therapeutic factors, bioclimate, numerous sources of mineral water, natural gas and thermal waters, have favored the development of specialized medical conservative balneology type, which uses the natural treatment factors. The Olt is the main river of the resort and the Lake Ciucaş, which is placed in the middle of the resort, was created for tourism purposes. Near the Lake Ciucaș the Wellness Center can be found, which is a relaxation, and treatment base. The mineral waters of Tusnad Spa are used in two ways in terms of health. The first method is the treatment at the baths which be effective for diseases of the nervous system, the vascular system, and the urinary system, the second method is the drinking cure which is suitable for treating anemia, diseases of the respiratory organs and eating disorders.On the current territory of Tusnad Spa, between the peaks of Ciomad Mountains and the Big Piricske (South Hargita) lays the Olt Defile, where the numerous mineral waters can be found. In the old days, only the main well had a name (which because of the bad usage of bottling, dried up), to the other springs and baths were given numbers. After that the Main Wells water was bottled, because it was appropriate for healing respiratory illnesses, bladder and intestines catarrhs. The carbonated, salty and chalybeate water has an excellent effect for healing nervousness, paleness, anemia, hysteria, paralysis and rheumatic illnesses.

Nowadays on the terrace, located at the bottom of Ciomad Mountain, beside Tusnad Spas walkway, the following spring are in use: in the north the Rezső or Ilona Spring (22.4 °C), which provides the Rezső-Bath or Mezothermal open-air pools with water, located not far from the spring. At the end of the walkway there is the Apor and Mikes Springs, which are shedding the chalybeate and lukewarm water. From these to the north-east, behind the imposing Stefánia Sanatorium, well up the Anna-springs (20.1 °C). The Anna I and Anna II springs assure the water-needs for the Sanatorium, which is linked to the Tusnad Hotel with a modern closed corridor.

On the slope of the terrace above the Lake Ciucaș we can find the so named Priests or Poors Bath (21.5 °C). South from the Lake Ciucaș, on the left side of the railway, on the loose pyroclastic sediment, rushes up the Rudi Spring with low output, having 13.5 °C temperature. The health resorts south part is bounded by the Komlós ditch. At the left side of the Komlós ditch, rushes out the Komlósároki Spring. On the lower part of the ditch, before the water flows into the Olt River, there are some big outputted set and unset springs (12.5 °C). From the left side of the Olt terrace, above the towns farm-buildings, are rushing out some other springs (14 °C) with high water flow. From the main road between Tusnad Spa and Sepsibükszád, about 300 meters away at the valleys right side is an unset, chalybeate spring, unnamed and with a 12.9°C temperature. On the left side of the Olt River, above the famous Holed-Stone and under the terrace, flows out from an iron conduit the Vendel Spring (12.6 °C). Near this spring, beside the dirt road, the lukewarm, chalybeate and high water flow spring became almost like a little lake (23.6°C).

To the culture of the baths in Tusnad Spa belongs the mofetta, which was discovered in 1895, by a man, born in Tusnad, canon Imets Fülöp Jákó. The mofetta was named as the sulfur pit of Imets. Dr. Kovács Károly, born in Verebes, was the first who built up a proper modern building, suitable for the mofetta. Near to the mofetta are lots of springs, but only one, on the corner of the campsite is set and it is called Frog or Youth Spring (11.5 °C).

Above the Falcon Stone, under the peak of the Nagyjáhoros, has the Miner Stream its source and many carbonated springs are flowing into it. Ten meters away, before the Miner Stream flows into the Olt River, is the Bányászpataktövi Spring (9.3°C), which has a low mineral salt content. At this section the bed of the Olt River is “boiling” because of the upcoming carbon dioxide gases. Above the town’s railway station, on the right side of the railway-bridge, we can find three other springs: Koncsag, Kosztándi and the Imets Lázár kind of spring (11.5- 12°C). At the north side of Tusnad Spa, where the Alsótiszás brook flows into the Olt River, is the Alsótiszástövi Spring, which is set into a 50 cm diameter iron conduit. On the north side entrance into the town, at the west foot of the Vártető Peak, along the rupture system are the big water flow and lukewarm Tiszás Springs (18.5–22.5 °C), which are rich in iron and calcium.

In Tusnad commune (Vrabia, Tușnad Sat and Tușnadul Nou villages) and in Tusnad Spa there are 62 known mineral water springs.

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