Istria's Thermal Spa

Istria's Thermal Spa is located in the Mirna river valley, in the forest area with the Mediterranean climate. The spa has several thermal springs, of which the largest and the most important one is the St. Stephen's springing from underneath the 85 meter high rock. The spa itself used to be called the Santo Stefano Spa after it. Rich in natrium, calcium and chlorine, it also contains ten other minerals. It is radioactive and contains a high level of sulphur, which explains its healing quality. The inorganic clay lime, radioactive fango sunk in thermal water also has healing qualities. Many illnesses are treated at the spa. They range from respiratory organs to the locomotor system. The treatments include inhalations, baths, compresses.... As the Istrian spa was well known during the Antiquity, Roman money, jewellery and inscriptions were found as witnesses of the Roman existence on the area. Written traces of the use of the spa were lost in the Middle Ages. They emerge in the 17th century. During the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, their healing quality became widely known. Therefore, the area expanded as well. The first analysis was conducted in the 19th century proving excellent thermal features of the spa water.