Băile Felix

Băile Felix ( _hu. Félixfürdő) is a thermal spa resort near the commune of Sânmartin in Bihor County, Transylvania, Romania. They are among the best known and most quality thermal spas in the country. Băile Felix is also at a close distance to Oradea, a major city in western Romania.

Geography

Băile Felix and 1 Mai are two thermal spa resorts located in a hilly area with beach and oak tree woods, 8 km south of the municipality of Oradea (seat of Bihor County) and 22 km south-east of Borş (border checkpoint to Hungary).

Climate

Summers are not excessively hot and winters are mild, with moderate precipitation (650 mm annually).

Fauna and flora

In the thermal waters of the Petea river and lake, having a constant temperature of 30-31°C, live the snail "Melanopsis parreyssi" (tertiary relict) and the fish "Scardinus racovitzae" as well as a rare species of subtropical water lily - "Nymphaea lotus thermalis" - tertiary relict, a natural monument.

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The resorts host many mineral springs with thermal (20-48°C), sulphuric, calcic, sodic, rich in bicarbonate waters known since the beginning of the millennium. The soothing effect of the waters on articular and muscular pain and on various rheumatic neuralgias accounts for the fame of cures in the resort for the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases (rheumatic polyarthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, conditions after acute articular rheumatism), degenerative and articular rheumatic diseases, central and peripheral neurological disorders, gynecological diseases, post-traumatic conditions, endocrine disorders.

The facilities of the two resorts offer treatment of rheumatism and neurological and gynecological diseases. The modern medical base has at its disposal various facilities for procedures involving electrotherapy, hydrotherapy, aerosols, massage, paraffin packing and other water treatments.

Attractions

The "Felix" and "1 Mai" spa are also ideal for relaxation and visitors can take advantage of the following:
*the pool with artificial waves in "1 Mai" (the oldest in the country)
*the thermal water swimming resorts : "Apolo" (since 1900) in Felix and "Venus" in 1 Mai

The ones that have a special interest in the local culture can also look into:
*the chapel in Haieu, a medieval church from the XIV th century, with baroque and romantic elements
*the Sanifarm baroque building, formerly "Saint Vincent" monastery (XVIII century)
*the churches in Rontău (15th century) and Haieu (1906)
*the wooden churches in Băile Felix

External links

* [http://www.bailefelix.net/ Băile Felix website]