A look at Spa Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia & Herzegovina was well known and popular in the entire region as a destination for health and spa tourism. Bosnia is apparently derived from an old Indo-European word ‘bosana’, meaning water. Its certainly one thing there is no lack of here.
In combination with untouched nature, clean and fresh air, traditional hospitality and service – many hot and mineral springs in the country makes Bosnia & Herzegovina a pleasant and right place for those who are aware of importance of good health in life. These waters successfully treat cardiovascular diseases, rheumatism, stomach illnesses, diabetes, stimulate and accelerate recovery, help maintain health and improve stamina, gynaecological deseases, neurosis and neuralgia. This combination, together with good infrastructure makes this country a perfect choice for sport teams from all around the world during their pre-season preparations.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is heavily investing in modernizing its thermal spas facilities to offer its guests a top quality spas services for only a fraction of the price of other European countries. With full service facilities available in more than 15 locations there is always a relaxing spot for a massage or a full range of thermal treatment. Usually nestled in beautiful surroundings, these health resorts offer true rest and relaxation, in addition to health care. They are based on hot and mineral springs and are located in the areas of Olovo, Fojnica, Bjeljina, Bihać, Srebrenica, Gradačac, Sarajevo, Kiseljak, Laktaši, Bosanska Dubica, Sanski Most, Teslić, Tuzla, Banja Luka and Višegrad.
Ilidža
From time immemorial there has been a tradition in Bosnia & Herzegovina by healing with curative thermal waters. The first known spa was built by the Romans in Ilidza and was then known as Aqua Sulphurae, located in Sarajevo valley only 8 kilometers away from the very City centre, it was named after the Turkish word „iladža“ meaning „cure“. The Spa rests under the mountain “Igman”, closely to the Spring of Bosna River and nearby a well-known tree alley named “The Big Alley”. Surrounded with beautiful large park areas, the complex provides possibilities for an ideal combination of medical treatments and other types of tourism. Ancient Romans once healed their wounds in the hot mineral waters here. Today, tourists & visitors can visit the spa to enjoy individual mineral baths, swimming pool, sauna and full body massages.
One of the prettiest places on the Earth!
E.B.Lanin wrote about Ilidza in The Contemporary Review in 1894 in London.
Fojnica
Spa centers in Fojnica are famous in the Balkan region. Many sport teams from the region are doing their season preparations in Fojnica. The one hundered year old tradition of Fojnica spa medical programs is based on geo-thermal healing water. The First visit to the spa was in 1890, and today you can be enjoy a numerous medical services such as balneo-hydro therapy, electro-therapy, thermal therapy, kinesis-therapy and mechanic-therapy. When it comes to accommodation visitors can choose between spa complex Reumal and the charming new build apartment complex Aquareumal. The Reumal spa guests are under care of a 360 employed professionals consisting of 18 doctors (12 physicians and 5 resident physicians), 2 internists, cardiologist, orthopedist, urologist…), 85 physiotherapists and 40 medical technicians. The Spa closely cooperates with three University professors, 5-6 endocrinologists of Clinical Centre in Sarajevo, microbiologist, neurophysicians, radiologist and other experts.
Banja Vrucica
One of the best spa centers in the country is also Banja Vrucica in the town Teslic. The Vrucica spa is a modern health center for ultrasound diagnostics, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of cardiovascular and rheumatic diseases. It is near the town of Teslic, in the very heart of an archeological and historical inheritance area, but also promising future perspectives largely based on the spa capacities. These mineral springs were used by the ancient Romans and afterwards the Turks who praised it as cult. The Spa provides diagnostic-rehabilitation program, complete laboratory examination, ergonometric testing and the ultrasound diagnosis on an AKUSON set with built-in color Doppler for treating cardiovascular diseases, rheumatic and neurological diseases, heart attack conditions and post-surgical conditions of by-pass operations, orthopedic and other injuries. The recreational program provides swimming pools, fitness centre, bowling hall, sauna, underwater massages, and many more.
Aquaterm Olovo
A famous spa which is bustling with tourists for seeking a cure, is Aquaterm in Olovo, the focal point of the therapy at this spa is its oligo-thermal water. It is interesting that exploitation of mineral water in Olovo area started in year 1982, even it was well-known much earlier. Ivo Andric, a famous writer, the Nobel Prize winner denoted its importance in his story “Miracle in Olovo”. Due to the latest intense tourism developments in this little town, guest visiting “Aquaterm” spa are provided not only with professional medical treatment, but can also enjoy rafting down the Krivaja river.
Kiseljak
The first written documents confirming healing properties of water coming from the depths in Middle-Bosnia town of Kiseljak dated back in the 14th century. Its significant medicinal characteristics were recognized by ancient Romans, and it is interesting that the Kiseljak mineral water was bottled as „Johanes Brumen“ water and distributed in markets worldwide back in 1870.
Slatina
It is for certain that the healing water was used by the ancient Romans and nevertheless, the long tradition continues to present till this day. The climate in this area is mild continental. The Slatina spa is situated 206 m above the sea level, 12 kilometers northeast from Banja Luka City. The Spa surroundings is very pleasant to enjoy with relaxing walks in cultural parks. The Slatina spa provides various types of physical therapy such as thermotherapy, phototherapy, electrotherapy, magneto therapy, laser therapy, vasculature therapy, ultrasound massage and obligatory mineral waters hydrotherapy, underwater massages and bathing in three indoor pools. It also provides lymph drainage programs and rehabilitation acupuncture.