Anyone who has been to Hungarian Budapest at least once, always wants to visit the Gellert Bath. It is one of the 13 city baths, but even its building is not at all like a hospital or a bathhouse - it is a unique architectural solution, classical and aristocratic, with magnificent interior decoration and decoration.
Bathing in the Gellert Bath has a healing effect - this is confirmed by the reviews of those who have been there, and the scientific works of medical specialists. The bathhouse is housed in a four-story building with arched stained glass windows and columns. Only natural water with minerals is used here, which is supplied from the Gellert mountain. Its temperature does not drop below 38⁰С.
History of the Gellert Baths in Budapest
According to a legend that the inhabitants of Budapest love to tell tourists, the healing power of the Gellert Mountain mineral water was discovered by a hermit monk. He discovered a muddy lake, healed himself and began to heal the sick with a variety of ailments. But the first historical data on Gellert Baths date back to 1433. According to these data, King Andras II of the Arpad dynasty himself took the medicinal baths here.
The Gellert Bath was opened to the general public in the 19th century, when it became the property of Segica Istvan. He also erected the first one-story building of the bathhouse. However, it was not popular, the residents of the city called it a "muddy barn" and did not believe in the miraculousness of the water enclosed under the roof.
The Gellert Baths became popular after a truly royal building was built on the site of the "Muddy Barn". The project was overseen by Emperor Franz Joseph I. The official opening of the bath dates back to 1918.
The exact address of the Gellert Baths and excursions in it
The exact address of the Gellert Bath in Budapest is Kelenhegyi út, 4. It is located on the right bank of the Danube, in the area of the legendary Budapest Freedom Bridge. Any resident of the city will tell you how to get to this Hungarian landmark. This can be done by metro, tram, the route of which runs through the Szent Gellért tér public transport stop. The rules for visiting Gellert Baths are simple:
- children pass free of charge, but accompanied by adults,
- valuables must be handed over to the administrator to be placed in the safe,
- those who stay at the Danubius Hotel Gellert receive a 50% discount on the ticket price,
- it is necessary to comply with the clothing requirements, which are posted in the foyer of the first floor.
Three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, guided tours are held at Gellert Baths, during which professional guides tell visitors about the history of the site. The opening hours of the baths, the hours of the excursion can be found on the official website. The cost of visiting the baths ranges from 1,200 to 4,000 rubles, the price of an excursion is within 500 rubles. Financial costs are minimal, but the experience of visiting the Gellert Baths is the most vivid and memorable.
