Nyíregyháza-Salt Lake bath
A charming spa famous for its thermal water about 6 kilometers from the center of Nyíregyháza. It was named after the salty lake divided into two; it was named like that even at the end of the 18th century on a map. In 1927 it was officially registered as a spa under the name of Sóstófürdő. It is spreading on 47 hectares.
The lake itself is a pond filling the deepest part of the area on 9,2 hectares, with an average depth of 1,5 meters, 2,9 meters at the deepest point. The water of the lake was thought to have a peculiar healing nature from ages. This place was known as Igrice even in the age of King Matthias. András Jósa said the water of the lake heals you from rheumatic and imflammatory diseases or other diseases. Sóstó – because of its special atmosphere, fresh forest air, the thermal water of healing nature, the lake of silky waters luring to swim and boat – has always been a favourite destination for citizens, craftsmen, bohemian writers and artists.
The place has preserved much of this atmosphere, thanks to the nice natural surroundings, the buildings of national monument and the 50 °C thermal water, bursting out from the 800-meter-deep soil layers of the last Hungarian sea, Pannon.
The most beautiful building you can see in Sóstógyógyfürdő are the Water Tower as the symbol of Sóstó; the legendary Svájci Lak; athe Bathing House, which was the first spa of the city and the Krúdy Vigadó renovated in 2003, which was originally operating as a hotel, now serving as a relaxation complex. Besides the buildings and natural characteristics, there are other specialities as well in Sóstógyógyfürdő as unique sights in Hungary.
The first of these is the Sóstó Zoo on 24 hectares surrounded by the oak forest of Sóstó. This is the only zoo in Hungary operated in an environment like that. Following the Budapest Zoo, it has got the second largest animal collection with more than 200 species numbering about 2500 animals. We should also mention the Open Air Museum of Sóstó built at the edge of the forest, operating since 1979. It demonstrates the built environment and traditions of the subregions in Szabolcs- Szatmár-Bereg County while you san discover traditional craftswork and customs, too.
Last but not least, here are also the Sóstó legends. Such as the one about the lake saying that originally there was no island in the middle of the lake, it was created artificially to provide a place for a summer club for the youth. But there was a great storm, which washed the whole place into the lake. At quiet nights some people seem to hear the silent violin music from under the water. The are can be accessed easily by car as well as by public transport (buses no. 8) running frequently from the railway station.
