Spa facts for kids

For the municipality in Belgium, see Spa, Belgium.

The term spa is associated with water treatment of disease by bathing. Spa towns, spa resorts, and hot springs resorts often offer various health treatments. People have believed in the helpful powers of mineral waters back to prehistoric times. This practice has been popular worldwide. It is especially widespread in Europe and Japan.

Origins of the term

The term came from the name of the town of Spa, Belgium. This name was known back in Roman times, when it was called Aquae Spadanae. It may be related to the Latin word "spargere" meaning to scatter, sprinkle or moisten.

Images for kids

The Blue Lagoon (Icelandic: "Bláa lónið"), geothermal spa in Iceland. The steamy waters are part of a lava formation. Its warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulphur.
Ancient Roman Baths in Bath, England
The spa town of Hisarya in Bulgaria. An ancient Roman city was built in the 1st century AD because of the mineral springs in the vicinity.
Coriovallum Roman baths in Heerlen, The Netherlands (reconstructed)
Vigier's baths, Year V - 1797.jpg

Poster for Vigier Baths on the banks of the Seine river, in Paris (1797)
A thermal spa in Budapest, Hungary
Turkish spa Sina (Hammam) in Trenčianske Teplice, Slovakia
A section of the demolished Balneario da Toxa spa set in A Toxa Island, in Galicia, Spain
Waterfall, Carolus Spa, Aachen, Germany
Gentlemen's Pool House, Jefferson Pools, Warm Springs, Virginia, built 1761 it is the oldest spa building in the USA. The spa waters flow through the centre of the building. President Thomas Jefferson bathed here.
The healing power of mineral water used to treat patients and other users in the lazy river section in Vučkovec, Croatia
Spa center in Varshets, Bulgaria.
Mineral water swimming pools in Blagoevgrad district, Bulgaria.
Balneo area in Alange
Medicinal water bath in Makó, (Hungary)
Bathing in Bogor, West Java
Mt. Taisetsu KOGEN hot spring 2（Open-air bath）.JPG

Japanese Onsen, in Hokkaido