The spa town of Piešťany
The spa town of Piešťany (162 m.a.s.l., approx. 30,000 inhabitants) is located in the southwestern part of the Slovak Republic, 90 km northeast of the capital - Bratislava. The city is located in the valley of the Váh river near the Sĺňava water reservoir at the foot of the Považský Inovec mountain range.
The first written mention of the city can be found in the Zoborská List of the Hungarian King Koloman I from 1113 under the name "Pescan", derived from the name which denoted the inhabitants of the settlement based on river sediments of sand and gravel, and figuratively the settlement itself. The greatest prosperity of Piešťany is connected with the Winter family, who implemented the construction of the most important medical houses, bridges and cultural facilities. The name of the pedestrian zone in the city center, Winterova Street, also pays tribute to this important family.
Kúpele Piešťany is an international center for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and specializes in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system: inflammatory, rheumatic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative joint diseases: osteoporosis, gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis, arthrosis, conditions after injuries and operations of the locomotor system, spinal pain, scoliosis, nervous diseases, etc.
The symbol of the city is the crutch, which represents successful healing.
In Piešťany, there are ten springs of natural healing mineral waters with a temperature from 67 °C to 69 °C, containing mineral substances and gases. The effect of the spa treatment is also multiplied by extensive carefully maintained parks and colorful flower beds. The spa island is a kind of small botanical garden, which was created on the land of a floodplain forest approximately 150 years ago. The Váhu bypass arm is a habitat for many rare species of plants and animals.
The ideal location, easy accessibility, rich traditions of spa and tourism with ideal possibilities for recreation and spa treatment make Piešťany a sought-after spa town. Piešťany is specific for its sleepiness calmly gurgling fountains, visitors strolling at a slow pace, promenade concerts, the largest number of sunny days, ubiquitous greenery, leaves carelessly flowing on the silvery surface of the Váh River or flying seagulls.