Băile Felix - an oasis of relaxation, health and spa

Băile Felix is the biggest thermal spa resort in Romania that is open throughout the year. It is located 8 kilometers from the city of Oradea, in Bihor County and 22 kilometers from the Borș border checkpoint. Its closeness to a beech and oak forest makes it an ideal place for relaxation.

The thermal waters in Felix are known for their healing properties and soothing effect on articular pain and rheumatic neuralgias. They contain sulfur, calcium, sodium and bicarbonate which have a curative effect on many diseases: rheumatic, post-traumatic, gynecological etc.

The waters with temperatures between 20 and 49°Celcius and the mild winters that are characteristic of this area allow people to bathe even during the winter. In fact, some travel websites even recommend this as a novel experience. Furthermore, there are many treatment facilities and indoor swimming pools that allow for relaxation and enjoyment during the cold season. But most tourists prefer the outdoor pools.

The first mention of Băile Felix in an official document dates back to the year 122, when the resort was called Termae Varadines. The Felix Spring was discovered in the 1700s by Felix Heldres and analyses on the waters started in the year 1731.

Connected to the resort is a rare species of water lily called Nymphaea lotus f. thermalis and a snail called Melanopsis parreyssi, both relicts of the Tertiary (began 65 million years ago and lasted until 1.6 million years ago). What is strange about this water lily is that it usually grows in the Nile Delta, which makes its habitat in Romania out of the ordinary. It was discovered in 1789 by botanist P. Kitaibel and is now the symbol of the resort. In 1932, the plant was declared a “national monument” and the rivulet in which it grows (Pețea), a nature reserve.        

Those who visit the resort can also take advantage of the short distance to Oradea, one of the most beautiful cities in Transylvania. An important landmark in the city is the Bishop’s Palace – presently home to the Museum of the Crisana Region – which was built after the designs of Italian architect Giovanni Battista Ricca and Austrian architect Franz Anton Hillerbrandt. Another is the Roman Catholic Cathedral, built between 1752 and 1780 – one of the largest Baroque churches in Romania. And finally, the Black Eagle Palace, built between 1907 and 1909.

Sources:

“Băile Felix”, Wikipedia, Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C4%83ile_Felix, Accessed: 09.04.2015.

“Bucură-te de apele termale de la Băile Felix chiar și în sezonul de iarnă”, Turist Center, October 26th 2013, Available at: http://www.turistcenter.ro/ghidul-bucura-te-de-apele-termale-de-la-baile-felix-chiar-si-in-sezonul-de-iarna#!prettyPhoto, Accessed: 09.04.2015.

“Nymphaea lotus f. thermalis”, Wikipedia, Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaea_lotus_f._thermalis, Accessed: 09.04.2015.

“Oradea” Romania Tourism, Available at: romaniatourism.com/oradea.html

, Accessed: 09.04.2015.

Anghel, Georgiana, “Băile Felix și apele sale miraculoase”, România Liberă, October 14th 2005, Available at: http://www.romanialibera.ro/economie/finante-banci/baile-felix-si-apele-sale-miraculoase-37010, Accessed: 09.04.2015.