Geoagiu-Băi: the Roman Germisara thermae and mesothermal waters

Geoagiu-Băi is a small spa of mesothermal waters in Hunedoara County, on the south-eastern slopes of the Metaliferi Mountains — part of the Apuseni (Western Romanian) Mountains — near the point where the Geoagiu river joins the Mureș. The spa lies at about 350 m and belongs to the town of Geoagiu. The Dacians already knew the hot springs here — the name Germisara is explained as "hot spring" — and the Romans built the Germisara cum thermis baths. Archaeologists found statues of Asclepius and Hygieia (1935), gold votive plaques and traces of a temple of the nymphs. In the 16th century Queen Isabella restored the baths, the first modern spa facilities appeared in the early 20th century, and in 2010 Geoagiu-Băi was named a "European Destination of Excellence" (EDEN).

Natural healing resources

• alkaline mineral waters, slightly sulphurous, bicarbonate, calcium and magnesium, hypotonic, mesothermal and thermal — 29–32 °C;
• ferruginous peat mud, extracted next to the thermal pool area;
• a sedative, moderately continental climate: mean annual temperature 9.8 °C, clean forest air.

The springs themselves are protected by the 8-hectare "Mesothermal Waters" nature reserve.

What is treated

The spa's main profile, according to the treatment unit of the Germisara complex, is diseases of the musculoskeletal system of rheumatic, neurological and post-traumatic origin: cervical, thoracic and lumbar spondylosis, hip and knee osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis of the hands and feet, scapulohumeral periarthritis, the state after fractures of limb bones, mild peripheral nerve paresis and old hemiparesis; as well as certain endocrine diseases, metabolic disorders and asthenic neurosis. Treatment is aimed at early or compensated stages and at prevention. Contraindications from the same source: decompensated heart failure, acute febrile and flaring chronic illnesses, infectious diseases, malignant tumours, blood diseases affecting general health, pregnancy beyond 12 weeks, decompensated diabetes, mental disorders with behavioural disturbance and contagious skin diseases. This information is for reference only and is not medical advice: a doctor prescribes the course and procedures after a consultation.

Procedures and pools

• Germisara Resort & Spa is the spa's largest treatment unit: baths and therapeutic exercise in an indoor pool with thermo-mineral water, kinesiotherapy, galvanic baths (37–39 °C), underwater shower massage, salt-water aerosols, electrotherapy (diadynamic and interferential currents, TENS, ultrasound), MLS laser, SIS magnetotherapy, paraffin wraps and massage. Procedures only after an examination by a specialist doctor.
• Hotel Aida has its own unit with group hydrokinesiotherapy in a thermal pool (about 36 °C), salt aerosols, electro- and magnetotherapy.
• The Băile Daco-Romane complex is a summer open-air thermal pool complex with three pools, including a 50 × 25 m Olympic pool.
• The Roman thermae on the Dâmbul Romanilor hill: a round travertine mound 90–95 m across with pools cut into the rock; nearby, a 165-metre stretch of Roman road survives.

Practical information

The spa operates all year, the open-air pool complex in summer. Prices and opening hours of the treatment units are not published on official pages: Germisara's wellness prices are given at reception, so check by phone. Geoagiu-Băi is a quiet little town and a convenient base for trips to Deva fortress, the ruins of Sarmizegetusa and the wooden churches of Hunedoara. There is a waterfall and the Outlaws' Cave nearby.

Getting there from Ukraine

From Chernivtsi it is 451 km, about 7 h 59 min via the Krasnoilsk – Vicovu de Sus checkpoint; from Rakhiv it is 360 km, about 5 h 18 min via the Solotvyno – Sighetu Marmației checkpoint; from Uzhhorod it is 439 km, about 6 h 13 min via the Diakove – Halmeu checkpoint; times are without border queues. Romanian roads require the rovinieta e-vignette. The spa lies close to the A1 motorway in the Mureș valley between Deva and Orăștie.

Nearby

Other spas of this series on the site: Romania's oldest spa, Băile Herculane, with its sulphur thermae, and the Vâlcea spas of Călimănești-Căciulata and Băile Olănești.

Official website: hotelgermisara.ro

Photos: Bejan Neculai, CC BY-SA 3.0 ro, Wikimedia Commons; Eduard76, CC BY-SA 3.0 ro, Wikimedia Commons; Levente Nuber, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; mihai moise, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.