The refurbishment of one of Europe’s largest spa complexes is set to begin this autumn – the women’s thermal section of the Széchenyi Thermal Baths is to be modernised

According to the plans, the refurbishment work is set to begin in the autumn. Among other things, the women’s thermal section will be refurbished during the first phase. The renovation will take 12 months. Ildikó Szűts, CEO of Budapest Gyógyfürdői és Hévizei Zrt., emphasised when outlining the plans that one of the most important technical aspects of the development will be the modernisation of the water treatment technology. The pools at the Széchenyi Baths currently operate using a fill-and-drain system; however, as part of the pilot project – partly to comply with regulatory requirements – they will be converted to a filtration and circulation system.

The history of the spa began with a 19th-century engineering firm

The construction of the baths in Városliget was preceded by the drilling of an artesian well on the site, following a proposal by mining engineer Vilmos Zsigmondy. Following the completion of the work in 1878, water at a temperature of 74.5 degrees gushed forth from a depth of 970 metres. Construction of the baths began in 1909 based on plans by Győző Czigler, and they were opened on 13 June 1913 under the name Széchenyi Thermal Baths.  The facility became so popular that it was significantly expanded in the mid-1920s. It was at this time that Pest’s first swimming pool opened. In 1936, the drilling of the second well was completed, with Europe’s hottest thermal spring gushing forth from a depth of 1,240 metres. The building was damaged during the Second World War, but the well remained intact. With the introduction of winter facilities at the spa in 1963, a visit to Szecska became a year-round attraction.

The programme also includes restoration and reconstruction work

The project, due to start this autumn, will involve not only the modernisation of the water technology but also the restoration of several architectural features. According to the plans, the renovation of the main entrance steps to the swimming pool will also be carried out this autumn, which is expected to take three months. The works will also affect the disc fountains in the inner courtyard. As part of the project, restoration of the swimming pool changing rooms will also begin, with the introduction of co-educational facilities. This phase of the work is scheduled to take six months. The development programme also includes the reconstruction of the cladding and insulation of the sunbathing area with steps.

The current phase is only the first stage of the reconstruction

Ildikó Szűts emphasised that the current investment, exceeding 3 billion forints net, is only the first phase of the renovation of the Széchenyi Baths. In the coming years, works on a significantly larger scale will be required to ensure that the complex not only preserves its historical values but also provides a standard of service commensurate with the baths’ significance.
The Széchenyi Thermal Baths and Swimming Pool currently operates 18 pools. The Széchenyi Thermal Baths and Swimming Pool currently operates 18 pools. Last year, it welcomed 1.3 million visitors, with an average daily footfall of around 3,500 people.