Here we have, on the Valley of Cerna, the most beautiful spa in the continent.
Baile Herculane is an ancient spa resort located in the National Park Valea Cernei-Domogled, in the valley of the Cerna River. The spa is flanked by the Charpathian’s Mehedinti Mountains to the east and the Cerna Mountains to the west.
Legends of Hercules abound in the region and the locals firmly believe that the great hero did stop here to rest and bathe. The first mention of the spa dates 153 BC when the Romans established here the Thermae Herculi (Ad aquas Herculi Sacras).
This was the main spa destination for the Roman aristocracy of the time – Emperor Marcus Aurelius himself visited the thermae pretty often.
Later on other important personalities of the history came here for treatment, including Goethe and Hans Christian Andersen, Emperor Joseph II, Emperor Francisc I, Empress Charlotte, Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph who also said about the resort:
“here we have, on the Valley of Cerna, the most beautiful spa in the continent.“
The ruins of the Roman thermae can still be seen today, along with aqueducts, baths and votive tabulas raised in the honor of the gods who gave the healing waters. Six statues of Hercules from that time were discovered in the region and a replica of one of them guards the central square of the town and it is the symbol of the spa.
Baile Herculane is one of the most popular health resorts in Romania – renowned for its thermal mineral water springs that are used to treat rheumatic, dermatologic, cardiovascular and neurological conditions.
Specific for the Herculane climate is the negative aero-ionization that impacts not only the human organism but also the flora and fauna. The thermal springs have temperatures varying between 40 and 60°C and their level of minerals varies as well: at Herculane you will find different thermal springs: sulphurous, calcious, chlorine-sodious, magnesic, oligomatic and hipotone.
This is not only a health destination, but a travel and activity destination as well, the perfect location for family adventure. The place has got it all: a rich history displayed in the resort’s museum and almost everywhere the traveler goes on votive stones, architectural details, ancient ruins and more; amazing nature – the Carpathians are already famous for their beauty.
The Cave of the Thieves for example has multiple levels, with relics from different prehistoric periods including Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic. Each August the visitors of the spa are invited to the Hercules Folkloric Festival that shows a number of traditional costumes, masks, folk dances and songs, folk artifacts and so on.
Gorgeous pictures!
This looks simply amazing! Some day I hope to be able to travel to other countries and see their beautiful architecture and landscapes. The boring U.S. just can’t compare to many foreign countries.
Your place is so nice.
Wow! those are some gorgeous pictures and I second the sentiment expressed by Andrew above… There is so much beauty outside of US, I hope I can get to visit some of these places some day too..
You are all right, there is beauty everywhere in the world, we just need to open our eyes to see it.
I for one dream of seeing the Grand Canyon one day… and Niagara… and the Red Rock Country, and Charleston. In the meanwhile I am proud to have visited almost all there was to visit in my country. If time would only allow for me to discover Germany too… I think we should all take all the chances we have to see the world. This is what I like about the web: at least I see some representations of the places I long to visit. And the best part is that the images come with “a human touch”