The Ilidža of Pasha Arnaut, or the Turkish Bath of Eger

The Turkish pool was built between 1610 and 1617, during the Ottoman rule, so this is the oldest part of the pool space. The other parts of the baths were gradually added to the original Turkish building over the centuries. The dome, renovated in 1980 and covered with approximately 200,000 gold-plated mosaics, is a spectacular sight. The bath not only features original Turkish style pools, but also hamam (massage, steam, rinsing bath) reminiscent of Turkish-style bathing. The circular-dome building serving as an edifice of a century and a half of Turkish bath culture is also a noteworthy monument. The natural thermal water of its characteristic octagonal pool is also highly praised as the healing effect due to the water’s radon content is unparalleled. A passage leads from the crescent-shaped bath to the pools of Eger Thermal Spa, renovated recently in the past few years. One can also enjoy a range of refreshments at the Turkish café. The long-standing facility awaits the people of Eger and other visitors with six pools and high quality wellness and medical services. Reduce ticket fees are available for the residents of Eger.

Visitors at the bath struggling with illnesses may receive medical services and treatment. The thermal water of Eger has a beneficial effect on musculoskeletal diseases, rheumatism, joint and spinal disorders, gout, gynaecological and nervous system conditions. The spa facility includes a medical department and a recovery ward. Even the soldiers of Captain István Dobó took a dip in the local thermal waters. Apart from physiotherapy treatment, medical examinations and remedial massage, the Turkish Bath of Eger offers a variety of well-being services from saunas to mud treatment. Everyone's favourite is the massage, so let’s take a look at a few types.

One of the most pleasant massages offering patients the experience of physical and mental refreshment. Following a pleasant steam bath of 50 C°, on a heated stone bed after a thorough wet rubbing, guests are pampered with an olive oil soap massage and hot and cold rinse. The hamam can be rounded off with a pleasant time relaxing in the rest area.

Prior to the treatment, guests “heat” their body and “soften” their skin for 15 minutes in the Bath’s steam room. This is followed by a 50-minute deluxe therapy. On a heated stone bed, the masseur applies a peeling from head to toe, and following the “purification”, they massage the whole body with lily of the valley soap. Poppy seeds in the soap further stimulate the deeper parts of the skin that also have a beneficial effect on the nervous system. Thanks to the massage, the skin is visibly smoothed and becomes silky soft. The aromatherapy affect of the massage reduces stress and energizes. The ritual is followed by a 15-minute resting and regeneration period, which can be enjoyed drinking a special Turkish tea.

The Eger wine region is renowned far and wide! However, the grapes are only used to produce wine: few know that the oil pressed from its seeds contains numerous beneficial vitamins and enzymes that refresh, regenerate and rejuvenate the skin. Thanks to the massage, all the beneficial effects of grapeseed oil can be enjoyed.

This full body massage is applied with orange-cinnamon massage oil. The orange oil has a strong sedative effect and enhances the mood of the patient. It alleviates anxiety and its scent is reminiscent of a seaside atmosphere. The cinnamon oil is an antioxidant and has an anti-inflammatory effect. It stimulates lymph flow, metabolism and also helps the excretion of connective tissue toxins. For women, it is particularly recommend on problematic parts of the body as it promotes the breakdown of accumulated fat layers.