Nimnica: a mineral-water spa above the Nosice reservoir

Nimnica is one of Slovakia's youngest spas, in the Váh valley between Púchov and Považská Bystrica. Its spa houses stand at about 300 m on a wooded spur of the Javorníky hills that juts into the Nosice reservoir, known locally as the Dam of Youth (Priehrada mládeže). The spa's story began by chance: in 1953, during the construction of the dam, workers were deepening a pit when "aggressive" water began flowing out and damaging their tools. Later they noticed that the water helped with various ailments, expert studies confirmed its unique composition, and construction of the spa began. Today it is run by the joint-stock company Kúpele Nimnica, and treatment combines the mineral water with modern rehabilitation.

Mineral waters and natural resources

The main natural healing resource is spring B8. Nimnica water is moderately to highly mineralised, carbonated, bicarbonate, sodium, iodine-bearing, cold, hypotonic and slightly acidic; the most used spring is 12.7 °C, so its valuable components are not lost. It is rich in sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium and also contains iodides, chlorides and trace elements. Its unique composition allows three uses: drinking, inhaling and bathing. The spa recommends drinking cures for digestive and metabolic diseases, inhalations for respiratory diseases, and carbonic baths in mineral water warmed to 34 °C for cardiovascular, nervous, musculoskeletal and gynaecological conditions. Drink the water on a doctor's advice: in hypertension the amount is limited.

What is treated

Adults are treated here for oncological diseases, diseases of the heart and blood vessels (conditions after a heart attack or heart and vascular surgery, ischaemic heart disease, hypertension), digestive diseases (peptic ulcer, post-operative conditions, Crohn's disease, gallbladder and pancreatic disorders), metabolic and endocrine diseases (diabetes, hyperlipoproteinaemia, conditions after thyroid surgery), non-tuberculous respiratory diseases (bronchitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, pulmonary fibrosis), nervous diseases (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease), musculoskeletal, gynaecological and occupational diseases. Children are treated as outpatients for respiratory, nervous and musculoskeletal conditions. Besides mineral baths, inhalations and drinking cures, the spa offers pearl and whirlpool baths, underwater massage, electrotherapy and heat therapy, oxygen therapy, gas injections, local cryotherapy and a salt cave. Treatment is prescribed by a doctor.

Wellness and procedures for visitors

The medical wellness centre in the Balnea Grand spa house is also open to outside guests: it has a pool, a Finnish sauna, herbal and salt steam saunas and an infrared sauna, a whirlpool, tepidaria, a Kneipp bath, tropical showers and an ice fountain. The timetable for each week is updated on Monday, and you must book by phone before coming. Individual procedures – a carbonic or pearl bath, mineral-water inhalation, massages, mud wraps – are sold without a prior medical examination. The salt cave, with 40-minute sessions, is also open to families with children.

Practical information

The easiest way to arrive is by train to Púchov, where almost all fast trains on the Bratislava – Žilina line stop, then by local bus or taxi. By car, leave the D1 motorway at Púchov and continue 4 km towards Považská Bystrica. The spa park with its ponds, a "mini Stonehenge", swings and a cactus house is open for walks. Wellness hours and prices are listed in the summary block.

Nearby: trails and other spas

The trail Nosice – Hotel Portáš into the Javorníky passes the spa, and a few kilometres away starts Milochov – Manínska Gorge, Camp, leading to a national nature reserve with a gorge. For an easy walk the spa recommends Holíš hill (533 m) with a view of the reservoir. Down the Váh lies Trenčianske Teplice: the Hammam and sulphur thermal baths.

Official website: kupelenimnica.sk

Photos: Mikaco, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; No machine-readable author provided. Juloml assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.