Since the Stone Age people have been enjoying the health benefits of Lake Heviz. As the world's second largest thermal lake, though sometimes it is called the largest,*** you can swim in the waters any time of year. The water is a fairly consistent 28-32 Celsius which is in the mid 80's in Fahrenheit temperature measurement. This lake is associated with Lake Balaton and is located on the Western end and about five miles from Keszthely. A large refurbished wellness building fronts the lake.
This lake may not be Balaton, but it's huge, covering 511,286 square feet (47,000 square meters.) To give you an idea, an American football field is 57,600 square feet. The water is said to have both hot and cold in the flow and is so strong that the water in the lake can be completely renewed in just 72 hours.
But since all thermal springs and wells usually contain minerals that are thought to be good for what ails you, why would this lake be considered so special?
Because of the fairly even temperature certain bacterias and algae's grow in it and the temperature makes for a suitable habitat for other organisms and plants. One of these plants is the water lilies.
The lake is dotted with these flowers which I know in Asian cultures are symbols of very long life - even eternity. They are red water lillys.
Among the many sites I read, this one is most interesting: NATIONAL and HISTORICAL SYMBOLS ; HEVIZ which also has an account of the Roman's using the lake.
EXCERPT : the red water-lilly in the lower part of the coast-of-arms ...is the most widely known symbol of Heviz. The red water lily was planted in the water of Lake Hevis in 1898 by Sandor Lovassy, professor of the Agricultural Academy at Keszthely. These water -lilies, native to Bengal, have since then become the lake's favorite sight, bearing a near-symbolic significance.
Image is from WikiArt public domain. Red water lilly native of Southern India.
*** Perhaps it's difficult to know just how much water a lake has it in, with seasonal fluctuations, climate change, and the mystery of lakes ebbing and flowing from unseen thermal volcanic sources.
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