Celebrating Europe’s thermal water sources
Every year, on World Water Day, the 22nd March, we celebrate the water sources which are at the heart of our Historic Thermal Towns. It’s a day where our member towns and thermal regions can give access to their heritage and healing springs in interesting and unusual ways, such as open days, special offers, water bars, guided walks, and behind the scenes tours. This reinforces the importance of our waters and the history behind them to both local residents and visitors, welcoming everybody to explore our fascinating world of health, tradition and well-being.
MESSAGES FROM EHTTA PRESIDENCY
WORLD WATER DAY 2024
“WATER FOR PEACE”
WORLD WATER DAY 2023
“ACCELERATING CHANGE”
WORLD WATER DAY 2022
“GROUNDWATER: MAKING THE INVISIBLE, VISIBLE”
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ACTIVITIES: World Water Day in Historic Thermal Towns
World Water Day 2024 in Historic Thermal Towns
- Bad Kissingen, organized an interactive traveling exhibition called AKTION GROUNDWATER PROTECTION – Drinking water for Lower Franconia came to Bad Kissingen for three weeks. From March 5th. until March 27th, 2024.
- São Pedro do Sul, played an important role by creating a complete program with art exhibition, hiking, sports and hydrotherapy sessions.
- Budapest Spas, celebrated World Water Day with a spa day in Budapest Thermal Baths: https://bathsbudapest.com. Art Nouveau setting in Gellert Spa, and 17 more thermal pools in the huge complex of Szecheny Bath or a gastro day. Clients will be able to support water charities, like Water Aid, to help others to get access to clean water.
Bad Kisisingen
São Pedro do Sul
Budapest Spas
World Water Day 2023 in Historic Thermal Towns
- Ourense City, once again, joins this initiative with the organization of a special program focused two main axes: raising awareness about water-related heritage through guided tours, and highlighting the benefits of the city’s thermal wealth through yoga sessions. Both activities are free of charge but have limited spots and require prior registration. https://www.turismodeourense.gal/gl/ourense-celebra-el-dia-mundial-del-agua-2023
- Bad Kissingen, put together a colorful program for children and adults in collaboration with partners: https://welterbe.badkissingen.de/aktuelles/weltwassertag2023
Ourense
Bad Kissingen
World Water Day 2022 in Historic Thermal Towns
- Baden bei Wien, Austria – guided tours to explore the sources of “yellow gold” and fantastic bathing stories and tell you about the bathing culture, as well as the launch of some new tourism products.
- Bad Kissingen has an extensive programme for World Water Day including Guided walks/tours throughout the town: Water technology in history and today; From brine to salt; Experience refined salt; Maxbrunnen: History, springs protection and techniques. There is also an exhibition – “Ground Water and World Heritage in Bad Kissingen” in the Wandelhalle.
- Budapest in Hungary is launching online quizzes and surveys on the 22nd and then putting on free guided tours with a prize draw to the famous baths – Széchenyi, Gellért, Rudas, and Lukács as well as mineral water tasting tours. In all nearly 200 people will be able to take part on these tours.
- Caldas da Rainha, Portugal, is holding a special concert and will be opening restored historic fountains.
- Ourense, Spain is running two main activities. Popular free water yoga lessons held Tues to Sun at the just-reopened thermal spaces of Outariz and Burga de Canedo. Also on March 22nd, local tourist guides will be offering three free tours around the hot springs of As Burgas, explaining the importance of water sources (and underground waters) in the history of Ourense.
- São Pedro do Sul, in Portugal, there’s a whole day of free activities that includes a guided walk, films about the water origin and its importance and, a guided tour to the natural spring and geothermal system and a thermal experience
- Wiesbaden, Germany – World Water Day talks and tours kick off a whole year of celebrating a Year of Water. A new statue of a spear, representing the founding myth of Wiesbaden will also be unveiled on World Water Day.
- One of our newest members, Varaždinske Toplice has organised a concert at the archeological site AQUAE IASAE in the old Roman Basilicum. First Ode to Joy (written in Baden bei Wien) will be played by brass section from Music School Varazdin and afterwards jazz duo- guitar and saxophone- will play jazz classics.
