Beregovo Hot Springs

The term “thermal waters” comes from Thérme, the Greek word for heat and warmth. These waters are curative, rich with minerals and biologically active components, with temperature above 20C. Back in the ancient times, Romans used to build bath houses and their famous Roman baths on the thermal springs' area. Archeologists still find the remnants of Roman bath houses in places the legions must have passed. These include the resorts of Vichy, Karlovy Vary, Baden-Baden and several others.

The legend of how the hot springs were created is passed by word of mouth. They say that a long time ago, the Greek goddess Hercyna was traveling around her lands, and became very thirsty. There was no water around, however, and the goddess was furious. She stomped her small foot in frustration, and a spring struck from under the ground. Thus the hot springs were created.

There are several known thermal springs in the Transcarpathians. Their temperature varies from +30C to +80C. The majority of them is situated in the city of Beregovo and its region, due to its geographic position.

Scientists believe Beregovo to be an earthquake region. Research shows that as ground layers move, they create underground hot springs.

Beregovo is the warmest part of the Transcarpathian region. Fruits and vegetables ripe early here; wine production is also very popular with the locals.

Beregovo has 2 active thermal baths: the “Zakarpatye” sport complex and “Zhavoronok”. Bathing season is open all around the year.

The “Zakarpatye” sport complex hosts one of the thermal basins. It has been opened back in 1967. The water temperature all around the year is +33C. Water for the basin is provided by a 1080m deep spring. The silicic nitric-carbonated water also has chlorid-sodic qualities, high salinity (32 microelements) and temperature (+50C). The water is brown in colour, provided by its high Ferum ratio. Similar springs can be found in Iceland (Krýsuvík), Sahalin and New Zealand (Wairakei). Thermal mineral water has curative qualities and can help with locomotive, cardiovascular and nervous system problems and urological diseases.

“Zakarpatye” houses 1 large basin and 2 smaller basins for children, all of which are filled with +44C water. The bigger basin is 51m long and used to be the place where the Olympic sportsmen practiced for the Games. The smaller basins are covered with a special film for winter, producing an effect of a “Turkish bath”.

Autumn and winter are the best seasons for thermal baths.

The second thermal rec center belongs to the “Zhavoronok-Pachyrta” institution. It has one roofed basin and two open basins. The roofed basin has a geyser, 4 hydromassage areas and two waterfalls. One of the open basins is for children while the other one is for adults and has a waterfall. The water temperature ranges between +42C to +45C. The beach area around the open basins is fitted with chaise-longues and umbrellas, so that you can sunbathe. Flowers decorate the whole area.

Prescriptions for thermal baths are the same everywhere. Thermal waters are very good for health in general and specifically help with problems with locomotive system, skin diseases, cardiovascular and nervous system, etc.

The hot springs of Beregovo are the best place to visit on cold rainy late autumn day when swimming in an open water basin would seem impossible.