Nature's rarities
Bear Lake - Sovata
The Bear Lake is the largest heliothermal salt lake in the world, with an area of 40.235 square meters, the circumference of 1180 meters and a maximum depth exceeding 18 m. It was formed during 1875-1880 as a result of complex geological, meteorological and hydrological events, by the gradual dissolution of the salt mass by the waters of two streams (Auriu and Criş-Toplita), followed by the land breakdown. The resulting gap was filled by the two brooks, over a period of about 5 years, giving birth to the current lake, which resembled a stretched bear skin, and also got its name. The water still dissolves the salt from the salt mass, so the salinity of the Ursu Lake shows a great variation depending on the depth. The sweet water of the Auriu and Topliţa streams, having a specific density less than the salt water, keeps on the surface and acts as a thermal insulator: it allows the penetration of solar radiation that heats the salty water layers from the inside but at the same time prevents the loss of accumulated heat known as heliothermia.
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Géra Salt Water Spring
The Géra Salt Water Spring was built to commemorate the former salt spring, which supplied the water to the first salt baths in the Lower Resort. The founder of the baths, Veress József, collected the waters of the salt springs and channelled the sun-warmed water into a basin. The treatments at Géra Baths were extremely effective, treating 21 different diseases. Today the Géra spring is located on the street corner opposite the former Géra Baths and a memorial plaque in the honour of the founder of the Lower Resort was unveiled next to the spring.
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The Balneotherapy Treatments
In 1860 Veress József founded the Géra Bath (Lower Bath), the first therapeutic bath in Sovata, predicting the healing potential of salt water. It was authorised in 1867 and operated for almost 100 years, treating 21 types of illness (rheumatism, uterine diseases, rickets, anaemia, etc.) Later, after the formation of Bear Lake (1875) Sófalvi Illyés Lajos officially founded the Upper Sovata Baths, in 1901. The resort developed quickly and was visited by many personalities of the time, including Queen Mary of Romania, or the famous Hungarian actress Jászai Mária, who also raised funds for the development of the resort. Rheumatic, dermatological, neurological, gynaecological and pulmonary diseases are currently treated here, with the most important results achieved in the treatment of infertility. The medical and wellness services available are balneotherapy and hydrotherapy, mechanotherapy and kinesiotherapy, electrotherapy, phototherapy, steam bath, sauna, solarium, etc. The treatments are based on three main factors: favourable weather, salt lakes and sapropelic mud, while both the clean air rich in aerosols and the varied vegetation and fauna around the lakes positively influence the healing process and the well-being of patients.
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