Our History
Our History
1818-1896
Pál Simonyi, commander of the Hussar regiment stationed in Debrecen, was the first to initiate the construction of the Bath House and the Vigadó, aiming at the development and beautification of the town. On 20 September 1820, the spring water found in the Great Forest and the medicinal properties of the herbs led to the proposal to use this rich gift of nature for medicinal purposes by building a bath. The Baths House along with a restaurant was completed on 1 May 1826, based on the classicist plans of the famous Debrecen architect Ferenc Povolny. In 1896 the bathhouse was extended with a steam bath.
1926-1932
30 years later, in 1926, the construction of an outdoor water facility in the Great Forest began. In 1929, the Hungarian Royal Ministry of Finance commissioned the chief geologist Ferenc Pávai Vajna Vajna to drill deep wells in the lowlands, and after the completion of the drilling in 1931, the water and gas coming from a depth of 1737 metres reached its present strength. In 1932, the town assembly decided to build a gas separator at the heat source, and to bring the water to the Great Forest for an improved outdoor and indoor bathing. On the basis of the plans of the city architect Tibor Vári Szabó, new hot-water pools are built and an indoor swimming pool is constructed. On 12 June 1932, the Great Forest Beach Baths and the indoor swimming pool are opened in a national celebration.
1940-2000
The Town Council rented the bathhouse until 1940. From 1940 it was run by the Debrecen Lighting Company, and from 1949 by the Debrecen Municipal Management Company. On 29 January 1960, the Debrecen Spa was established with the Debrecen Nagyerdői Gyógyfürdő Company, after the Minister of Health declared the spa a medicinal spa. In the same year, the New Vigado Restaurant was built. In 1984, the spa unit with the indoor thermal bath opened its doors. In 1994, the Municipality of Debrecen Municipality founded the Debrecen Spa Ltd. and in 1998, the City of Debrecen built the 4-star Thermal Hotel. Following this, in 2000 the Debreceni Asset Management Ltd. received ownership rights by the municipality.
2003-2010
A new era of spa tourism in Hungary has dawned with the construction of the Mediterranean Aquapark in 2003. At the same time a new brand name was born: Aquaticum. In 2004, the Debrecen Property Management Company and the Debrecen Spa Ltd. jointly founded the Nagyerdei Gyógyászati Kft. Between 2006 and 2007, the first renovation of the Aquaticum Thermal & Wellness Hotel took place. The Municipal Sports Pool is operated by the Debrecen Spa Ltd. until 2010.
2014-2018
In 2014, the Aquaticum Thermal and Wellness Hotel**** has undergone a complete reconstruction and the Thermal Baths were also renewed. In 2017, the municipal outdoor baths had their last season, after which the demolition and reconstruction works started. The year 2018 brought a double birthday celebration: Aquaticum Thermal Hotel celebrated its 20th anniversary and the Mediterranean Experience Spa its 15th. The anniversary year ended with a prize draw in cooperation with Nissan Hovány.
2020-2021
On 19 June 2020, Aquaticum Debrecen Strand opened its doors to great anticipation. The completely rebuilt attraction boasts a number of unique and already awarded architectural solutions. The 8.5 hectare facility has a surface area of 5,700 square metres of water, 15 pools with eight slides and a 12-meter high main building with sunbathing terraces and 2 pools. From 1 January 2021, Debrecen Spa Ltd. will continue its activities under the name Aquaticum Debrecen Kft.
2023
The 25-year-old Aquaticum Hotel and 20-year-old Mediterranean Experience Spa is celebrating its double birthday in 2023 with another grand prize draw to thank its millions of guests for being part of the Aquaticum success story.
