Brusno Spa: mineral springs, treatments and Caracalla Spa

Brusno Spa (Kúpele Brusno) lies in the Hron valley (Horehronie), about 20 km north-east of Banská Bystrica, on the northern slopes of the Vepor massif in the Slovak Ore Mountains – at the mouth of a valley with the telling name Peklo ("Hell"), at 424 m. From the spa park you can see the Low Tatras ridge with the peaks of Prašivá and Veľká Chochuľa (1,753 m). The spa is known not for hot springs but for cold carbonated mineral waters, clean air and quiet; its climate is described as mildly stimulating. Today it is run by KB SPA s.r.o., and treatment takes place in the Poľana spa hotel.

The springs were first recorded in 1818 in the parish chronicle of nearby Medzibrod. The first spa house was built in 1834–1837; the first season began in spring 1838 and lasted until 1859, when the house burned down. The best years came after 1884, when the spa was bought by the Banská Bystrica builder Ľudovít Rosenauer: he put up the buildings whose outline survives to this day, tried in vain to drill a warm spring in 1885, and in 1892 brought in the first permanent doctor, Jozef Lukácsy. At that time most guests were officials and merchants from Budapest – Brusno was a cheaper alternative to distant Karlovy Vary. Because of the similar composition of its waters, in the 1920s it was nicknamed the "Slovak Karlovy Vary". After a fire in 1947 it was restored by the Podbrezová ironworks, and in 1948 it was nationalised. The Poľana house was begun in 1975 and opened in November 1985; the old historic baths have not been used since 1986.

Mineral waters and natural resources

Seven mineral springs rise in the spa park – Ludvig, Paula, Hedviga, Ondrej, Ďumbier, Vepor and the ŠHB-2 borehole, which feeds the spa fountain. Four of them are used for treatment: Ondrej, Ludvig, Paula and Ďumbier. All have practically the same composition: cold acidulous waters ("kyselka") of the hydrogen-carbonate-sulphate calcium-magnesium type with raised fluoride, slightly acidic and hypotonic; the Ludvig spring, for example, contains about 1 g of dissolved carbon dioxide per litre. All four are suitable for drinking cures, and Ondrej water is also used for carbonated mineral baths and bottled under the name Brusnianka. According to the spa, the drinking cure works best for digestive disorders, and the mineral baths for cardiovascular and musculoskeletal problems.

What is treated

The spa specialises in diseases of the circulatory system (after heart attacks and heart surgery, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, arterial disease of the limbs, after-effects of thrombosis and lymphoedema) and of the digestive system (peptic ulcers, chronic bowel inflammation, gallbladder and bile-duct disorders, liver and pancreatic disease, post-operative states). The official list of indications also includes diabetes, non-tubercular respiratory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and post-traumatic states, kidney and urinary-tract diseases, oncological conditions after completed treatment and some occupational diseases. A doctor sets the programme after an examination. The main treatments are drinking cures, mineral baths, dry CO₂ baths and gas injections, underwater massage, inhalations, massages, physiotherapy and exercise therapy. Without a stay you can take an outpatient cure or buy individual treatments.

Pools and wellness

The newest part of the spa is the Caracalla Spa complex, styled as Roman baths, in the Poľana spa hotel. Its 3,300 m² hold 770 m² of water: a sitting pool with massage jets, a leisure pool with water spouts, bubbles and a water mushroom, a 25-metre lap pool, a "wild river" and a children's pool with a play area. The Sauna World (age 15+) has themed saunas, a Turkish hammam, a tepidarium with a green wall, a Kneipp path, a plunge pool and a whirlpool. The ordinary water in these pools is not mineral water – for that, go to the springs in the park or book a treatment.

Practical information

Brusno lies on road No. 66 from Banská Bystrica to Brezno; follow the "Kúpele Brusno" signs. The village has a railway station on the Banská Bystrica–Brezno line, about 1.5 km from the spa; buses stop on road No. 66. The nearest airport is Sliač (36 km). Treatments are booked at the Poľana reception, payable in cash or by card. Allow 3 hours for the Caracalla Spa (adult ticket €29) and another hour for a walk around the park from spring to spring.

Nearby: trails, peaks, sights

From the spa you can set out on the trail Brusno – Starý Majer or a longer hike to the Low Tatras – Veľká Chochuľa – Brusno. The route Slovenská Ľupča – Brusno, station follows the Hron valley, and 9 km to the west, above Slovenská Ľupča, stands Ľupča Castle.

Official website: kupelebrusno.sk

Photos: Ladislav Luppa, CC0, Wikimedia Commons.