Lovers of walks in parks and landscape of spas should visit the spa of Trenčianske Teplice with wonderful setting in the Strážovské vrchy Mts. in the west of Slovakia. It is its situation amidst nature and its hot mineral springs, which won it the attribute of the “pearl of the Carpathians”.
The legend has that a limping shepherd discovered the spring when he was looking for a lost sheep. This story inspired the authors of the towns coat of arms that depicts a sheep.
The spa was founded by the Paladin Štefan Zápoľský in the 16th century. It further developed under the administration of the Illésházy noble family.
The reputation of this spa derives of five medicinal springs of hot (36 to 40 °C) sulphur water that yield in total 22 litres of water per second. Among other medicinal products is thesulphured mud. Disorders of locomotion apparatus and neurosis are treated here.
Architecture of the bath Hammam in the spa building Sina decorated in oriental style of Turkish bath from the end of the 19th century, above all its lavishly ornamented arcade is interesting. Hammam of Trenčianske Teplice is the copy of the original project of a summer residence in the Moorish style that architect Schmorantz prepared for an Egyptian governor. Iphigenia dHarcourt, then the owner of the spa, saw its model at the World Exhibition of Paris and liked it. The Egyptian governor consented Iphigenias plea to use the replication of the structure for the spa building in Trenčianske Teplice.
Like the majority of major spas, Trenčianske Teplice became an important cultural centre with refreshing cultural events of national and international reputation. For instance, the Music Summer held in Trenčianske Teplice is the oldest international festival of chamber music in Central Europe. However, the most popular event now is the film festival titled Art Film, history of which is not old. It takes place every year in the second half of June since 1993. The best film wins the Gold Key and during the final ceremony, the Actors Mission is granted, it means that of the nominated actor imprints his palm in the Bridge of Fame in front of the Flora Hotel. During more than two decades of festival history, movie stars like Franco Nero, Gina Lollobrigida, Geraldine Chaplin, Annie Girardot, Sophia Loren, Ornella Mutti, Jean Paul Belmondo and others left their palm imprints here.
The English park in the area with a little swan lake and romantic nooks is well maintained and ideal for relaxation.