A spa facility adjacent to one of the world's largest geothermal caves.
There was a distinct smell of sulfur coming from the water.
Molnár János Cave
Get off at the Szent Lukács Gyógyfürdő tram stop.
The pond on the west side is the entrance to the Molnár János Cave.
This underground cave is filled with geothermal water and is known to some divers.
The deepest point reaches 320 feet, and the total length of the surveyed section is 3.4 miles.
It’s surprising that, despite being one of the world’s largest geothermal caves, it’s tucked away quietly in a corner of the city.
During the Ottoman Empire, there was a gunpowder factory here that used the abundant thermal water as a power source, and the ruins of that factory remain around the pond.
Distinct Sulfur Smell
The Lukács Thermal Bath is a spa facility located across the street from the Molnár János Cave.
There is evidence that the Knights of St. John have been using the thermal water in this area since the 12th century.
During the Ottoman Empire era, its primary use was as a power source for the gunpowder factory mentioned above.
It is said to have begun operating as a spa hotel in the 1880s.
The entrance was hidden at the end of a narrow passageway that ran between the yellow buildings.
Alpaca
What are all those signs for?
They look like thank-you notes from people whose illnesses were cured after soaking in the water.
Capybara
Overall, it has an old-fashioned feel and gives the impression that it’s used primarily by locals rather than tourists.
Generally, you'll use the unisex lockers (plus private changing rooms) to change into your clothes.
I've heard that cabins are also available for an additional fee.
Lockers are locked using the wristband you receive at the front desk.
The building had a complex, labyrinthine layout, and there was quite a bit of going up and down stairs.
A lazy river pool at 91 degrees F.
The courtyard, which wasn't particularly large, featured waterfall showers arranged within its compact space.
This is an outdoor swimming pool set at 79 degrees F.
There is also a swimming pool set at 72 degrees F, and swim caps are required at both.
The only really hot water was inside the building.
I’ve finally made my way into the old-fashioned part.
The hot water, at 104 degrees F, was located inside a tower-like structure made of stacked bricks and flowed into a circular pool.
There was a spout for drinking the water, and I was even able to drink some that smelled like eggs.
This distinct sulfur smell was far stronger than at any of the nearby hot springs.
There were a lot of soakers in the small space, so it felt a bit noisy.
However, when I closed my eyes and focused on the water, it turned out to be the most satisfying soaking experience I’ve ever had among bathhouses in Budapest.
