This article is about the UNESCO World Heritage site. For a list of spa towns in Europe, see List of spa towns § In Europe.

The Great Spa Towns of Europe is a transnational World Heritage Site consisting of a selection of 11 spa towns across seven European countries. They were developed around natural mineral water springs.[1][2] 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.[1] These would often include gardens, casinos, theatres, and villas surrounding the springs and the bath houses.[1][3]

Nomination

The city of Bath was originally inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1987.[4]

The efforts to get the Great Spas of Europe onto the World Heritage List began in 2012, and the nomination was submitted in 2019.[5] On 24 July 2021, the Great Spas of Europe were officially inscribed on the World Heritage List.[2]

List of spa towns

Town Country ID[6] Picture
Baden bei Wien  Austria 1613-001 Baden Panorama 01.jpg
Spa  Belgium 1613-002 Spa JPG01.jpg
Františkovy Lázně  Czech Republic 1613-003 Františkovy Lázně, Národní (3).jpg
Karlovy Vary  Czech Republic 1613-004 Karlsbad Muehlbrunnkolonnade.jpg
Mariánské Lázně  Czech Republic 1613-005 Mariánské lázně (Czech town) - houses in center.jpg
Vichy  France 1613-006 Zone urbaine (VICHY,FR03).jpg
Bad Ems  Germany 1613-007 Bad ems.jpg
Baden-Baden  Germany 1613-008 Baden-Baden 10-2015 img05 View from Merkur.jpg
Bad Kissingen  Germany 1613-009 Badkissingen.jpg
Montecatini Terme  Italy 1613-010 Montecatini Alto.jpg
Bath  United Kingdom 1613-011 Roman Baths c1900 2.jpg

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Great Spa Towns of Europe". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Five sites in the Arab and Europe regions inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  3. ^ Nomination of the Great Spas of Europe for inclusion on the World Heritage List (Report). United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Bath another step closer to second World Heritage listing". somersetlive.co.uk. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  5. ^ "11 European cities nominate The Great Spas of Europe for UNESCO World Heritage List". sheritagetribune.eu. 30 January 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  6. ^ "The Great Spa Towns of Europe : Multiple locations". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 5 July 2021.

External links