Bath Town Aidipsos
- by XpatAthens
- Wednesday, 18 February 2015
The power of nature at the man’s service… Aidipsos is probably the most famous spa-town in Greece! This cute little town is situated in Northern Evia and is connected to the mainland by ferry from Arkitsa, in Fthiotida. Evia can be reached easily also by car, bus or train from Attica through the Cable Bridge. The healing properties of Aidipsos thermal springs have been known since ancient times and are actually mentioned in the scripts of Plutarch, Strabo and Aristotle.
According to mythology, the precious water flowed for the very first time when Hephaestus beat the land with his hammer. It was a favour to goddess Athena, who believed that the thermal springs would keep Hercules healthy and powerful! During the Roman times, emperors and commanders frequented the place while centuries later the springs attracted important personalities, such as Winston Churchill, Greta Garbo and Maria Kallas.
A plethora of neoclassical mansions, lush plane trees and picturesque traditional cafes and restaurants envelop the town with a unique nostalgic atmosphere. In the hydrotherapy centre of the Greek National Tourism Organisation the visitor has the opportunity to gaze at an archaeological collection comprising finds from the excavations that took place in the area. Other archaeological sites around Aidipsos, such as the Sylla Cave, have re-opened inviting the public to discover them.
A geological miracle
The springs of Aidipsos are more than 80. The composition of the waters in combination with their high temperature is particularly beneficial for the human body. Archaeological finds indicate that the point from which the waters flow had been first spotted during Prehistoric times. The centuries-old geological and paleontological history of the area is also proved by a spot found where a mammal fossil is drawn. The springs are known anyway for 20.000 years now.
The temperature of the waters ranges from 28οC to 86οC. The waters are rich in magnesium, calcium and iron while their properties are extremely healing. The springs are scattered in various points of the city and through canals supply with water all hydrotherapy centres of the area.
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