GEOTOUR & IRSE 2012.pdf - Fakulta BERG - TUKE

Salgótarján, 04. – 06. October 2012
THE SMRDÁKY SPA, ITS BALNEOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE – PRESENT AND FUTURE
Lenka Řezníčková & Michaela Sehnálková
Institute of Geotourism, BERG Faculty, Technical University of Košice
e-mail: eva.tomkova@tuke.sk, lenka.muchova@tuke.sk
ABSTRACT
Smrdáky is a significant Slovak spa where mainly skin diseases are being treated. Major factor in the
success of treatment of these diseases is healing water containing hydrogen sulphide. The paper
analyses the present state of the spa that is a tourism infrastructure, indoor equipment, accommodation
facilities, and hospitality. The analysis includes service quality, opportunities for active leisure time
and a brief overview of spa treatments. The discussion also revolves possibility of introducing new
trends in the spa and increasing the level of services provided at the Smrdáky spa.
THE SMRDÁKY SPA
Natural Health Spa - Smrdáky with its healing water belong to the most efficient Slovak spas
throughout Europe that focus on the treatment of skin diseases and musculoskeletal system.
Peaceful natural environment and mild climate encourage treatment and relaxation of visitors.
The spa area and the village create a single unit with a large park with tercentenary trees
gradually passing into the wild nature [1].
Fig. 1 Location of the Smrdáky Spa [2]
Importance of hydrogen sulphide in the Smrdáky spa
Hydrogen sulphide has a positive effect on blood circulation and nutrition of all parts of skin,
positively influences metabolism and reduces inflammatory symptoms in joints and on skin. It
also has a cleaning and disinfecting effect because it removes oxygen from health harmful
bacteria [1].
Healing resources in the spa are sulphide mineral springs with high hydrogen sulphide content
that is currently the highest of all yet known Slovak and European springs, particularly it is
650 mg per litre of water. Mineral water in Smrdáky is healing, cold water with temperature
only 13 °C. There are chloride, hydrogen carbonated, sodium, iodine and sulphur components
in the water [3].
In addition to waters, there are highly effective peloids in the spa, in other words healing mud
sediments of effluent water. Bearings of sulphuric mud are formed by overflow of hydrogen
sulphide water through the loess soil of this area. Deposits of mud are located near the spa
buildings. The base presents artificially constructed pit into which surrounding loess is
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