Lúčky Spa
History
LÚČKY SPA ltd. belongs among the oldest spas in Slovakia. It was first mentioned in 1712, when Liptovská Stolica (county) donated the sum of 40 gold coins designed for Lúčky Spa. This reference included in the Protocols of Liptovská Stolica is not specifying whether it was a sum designed for its construction or its running. Nevertheless, during the very following decade the Spa was visited by one of the most eminent Ugrian scholars of those times – Matej Bel. He was attracted by a good rumor that was spreading at that time about the local thermal springs and he described their then state and by this act he actually witnessed their existence.Another milestone in the history of Spa is the year 1761, when the then co-owner Adam Turiansky had erected the first stone building over the mineral springs, which brought Lúčky a real Spa character. We can say that the present day LÚČKY SPA ltd. is on the threshold of a triad of important anniversaries. In 2010, it was the 15th anniversary of its privatization; in 2011 it celebrated 250 years since the erection of the first modern spa building and year 2012 is the one to celebrate the rounded 300th anniversary of the first reference on the timeline of Spa existence.Another milestone in the history of Spa is the year 1761, when the then co-owner Adam Turiansky had erected the first stone building over the mineral springs, which brought Lúčky a real Spa character. We can say that the present day LÚČKY SPA ltd. is on the threshold of a triad of important anniversaries. In 2010, it was the 15th anniversary of its privatization; in 2011 it celebrated 250 years since the erection of the first modern spa building and year 2012 is the one to celebrate the rounded 300th anniversary of the first reference on the timeline of Spa existence.
In 19th century, Lúčky became so popular, that some specialists often compared them to the most famous German, Italian or English Spa towns. One of them was a naturalist, professor at the lyceum in Sárospatak, Daniel Nitsch, who, in 1804 wrote: „If it is going to be proved that the springs in Lúčky improved and are improving the fertility, than these and all the following recommendations are useless and Lúčky is the true spring of blessing for the Hungary.“ Doctor David Wachtel mentioned the Spa in a similarly optimistic way, when he wrote in his publication about the spas and mineral springs in Old Hungary published in 1859: „Iron spa is in general a rare natural phenomenon and if this chemical analysis is going to prove what we can fully assume, then Lúčky in this case is surpassing all of the analogical thermal springs and thus Liptovká Stolica has a jewel of inestimable value, a pearl that needs but a suitable casing to make it shine above all other counties in our country and behind its borders as well.“ A satisfactory development of the Spa started after 1872, when Ján Tholt became its owner. The activities of the new owner were indicating that the Spa is really entering the golden era of its existence. He reconstructed the Spa building and new villas and guest-houses started to appear. Lúčky was becoming an attractive destination also for the clients from abroad. However, this roaring development was interrupted by the World War I. and during the interwar era the new owners weren’t able to adapt to newly changed conditions, influenced also by strong competition of the Czech Spas. The era of the stagnation started.
From the long-term point of view concerning the origination and development of the Lúčky Spa, year 1946 can be considered a milestone. In this year the spa house Liptov was officially put into operation and at that time it was fulfilling the conditions of quality and development trends in the spas. In order to stir your memory we remind you that the architect of this work was Milan Michal Harminc, who designed over 300 buildings in Europe from which 171 were situated in Slovakia. He built 108 churches for all confessions. In 1948 all of the natural thermal springs and spas in ČSR were nationalized. By this act, the state obtained the right to dispose of the mineral springs and it got the right of property concerning the spa. In terms of new categorization, Lúčky was listed into second group as a spa of state-wide importance with specialization in gynecology. After a decade dedicated rather to reconstruction and maintenance, in the middle of 60´s of the 20th century a new development started, which raised the capacity of the spas and changed the whole appearance of the spa area.
Spa
Lúčky Spa is situated in the mountainous south facing valley under the flank of Choč Mountain, on the borders of Orava and Liptov regions, at an altitude of 621 m. It is situated 14 kilometers northeast from Ružomberok which is 280 km far from the capital of Bratislava on the route Bratislava – Žilina – Košice. This Spa is surrounded by the tranquil surroundings of the mountains and it is suitable for everyone who wants to have a rest from everyday busy life. The Spa treatment in Lúčky is one of the most effective treatments. The essence of all balneological methods lies within a nonspecific, general effect that influences client’s general condition and plays a positive role in the process of healing, mainly via tuning the vegetative functions of organism.
Since 1950 the Spa was focusing on the treatment of gynecological and oncological diseases; however in 2005 Spa returned to the treatment of the kinetic apparatus. In 2008 were the therapeutic indications used by that time joined by the treatment of occupational diseases. Within the treatment of the kinetic apparatus the Spa also offers suitable conditions for prevention and treatment of the osteoporosis. Mineral water from the springs HGL – 3 and BJ – 101 (Valentína) is being used in all pools and separate spas. It is also suitable for drinking and available not only for the accommodated guests, but also for the general public.
Clients can stay at the accommodation facilities of different categories, namely in the apartments and rooms in the Spa Hotel Choč***, in the Dependencies Adam**, Barbora**, Cyril** and Liptov**. Since July 2009 another Dependency MAJA**, is in operation, which increased the accommodation capacity of the Spa by 38 beds. In 2008 the Spa built new AQUA – VITAL PARK open all year round, the part of which is a sitting pool with healing thermal mineral water with temperature 36 °C – 38 °C, recreational pool with water temperature 28 °C – 33 °C with various attractions (pool air seats, countercurrent flow, air deck chairs, water goblet, massage jets, water gargoyles, under surface lighting) and sauna world (Finnish sauna, menthol sauna, roman steam bath, Kneipp bath and trepidarium). Inner separate mineral pool with healing water with temperature 33 and 35 °C is also at your disposal. Snack bar with vide offer of meals and drinks with system a la carte and banqueting hall for private group is a part of AQUA – VITAL Park, too. The Spa is suitable for all age groups and it offers various kinds of stays – curative, curative-preventive, weekend, senior, stays with programs for women and men, tourist stays, stays focused on the treatment of osteoporosis, ski, slimming, New Year Eve’s and Easter stays. The management of the company is trying to adjust their offer according to their clients´ demands and they are undertaking various actions in order to attract their attention. Thanks to the fact that the quality of the offered services is being improved year by year, the Spa is successful at attracting more and more clients, because it is true everywhere in the world that „a satisfied client is the best advertisement“.