Did you know the Zala River once flowed into the Drava and only later “found” Lake Balaton?
 The history of western Hungary’s water systems is not just a fascinating geological puzzle — it reads like an epic of Earth history: riverbeds shift, rivers “consume” one another, and even Lake Balaton doesn’t enter the scene until the final chapter. Discover how nature reshaped this landscape stroke by stroke — and how the Zala became Balaton’s most vital source of water.

The Quaternary Period and the Power of Landscape Formation

What sets the Quaternary Period (2.58 million years ago to the present) apart from earlier geological epochs is that the surface-shaping processes of this time — and the landforms they produced — continue to define our geographic environment today.

Pleistocene Changes: Riverbed Migrations and Terraces

One of the most pivotal surface processes during the Pleistocene (2.58 to 0.01 million years ago) was the migration of riverbeds and the formation of terraces and alluvial fans. These changes were closely tied to the slow retreat of the Pannonian Lake, which once filled much of the Carpathian Basin (see also: The Legacy of the Ancient Pannonian Lake).

The Ancient Danube Moves West

The early Danube initially flowed westward across what is now western Hungary, draining into the retreating Pannonian Lake. This westward course likely remained until the early Pleistocene.

A River’s Great Turning Point

The most dramatic hydrological change in the Carpathian Basin occurred between the Pliocene and Pleistocene: the formation of the Danube’s Visegrád Gorge (today’s Danube Bend), which diverted the river toward the center of the country and what is now the Pest Plain.

This shift profoundly affected all its former western tributaries — including the Zala.

The Story of the Zala: Migration and Capture

The river system of Central Transdanubia evolved in surprising ways, and the Zala’s journey is one of its most remarkable chapters. The Rába River already flowed northeastward toward the Little Hungarian Plain. The ancient Marcal, running northward, flowed into the Rába — and into it, in turn, flowed the ancient Zala.

But nature redrew the map — using the Zala as its brush. A now-vanished river flowing from north to south (its remnants visible today between Zalaszentgrót and Zalavár) cut into the landscape through a process called headward erosion — where rivers erode backward into the terrain, much like a hot knife slicing through butter. Eventually, it cut into the ancient Zala’s valley and “captured” the river, diverting it into its own course.

A New Path — and the Birth of Lake Balaton

From then on, the Zala made a sharp turn south at Türje and — with no Lake Balaton yet in existence — initially emptied into the Drava. Later, as the depression that would one day become Lake Balaton deepened, the Zala was gradually drawn toward it.

Lake Balaton, as a continuous body of water, is only about 5,000 years old — but for millions of years before, the Zala had already been on a winding journey that ultimately made it Balaton’s primary source of water, and the most life-giving river in the region today.

Hévíz has created its own trademark for therapies based on the healing properties of Lake Hévíz accreditation. Hévíz has been known for its excellent results in relieving musculoskeletal complaints Traditional Cure (HTK) has a 220-year spa history, thousands of cured guests and and modern medical research.

The main pillars of the Hévíz Traditional Cure are bathing in medicinal water, mud packs and weight bathing. As a complementary treatment, drinking from the medicinal water fountain is also part of the package, massages, movement therapies, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. The ideal duration of the treatment ideally two weeks.

Institutions that have the necessary professionalism to carry the mark are eligible, medical background and medical infrastructure (e.g.: thermal pools, weight baths, mud packs). conditions are checked every two years by a professional committee. The next qualification period is May 2024.

The following institutions in Hévíz are qualified:

• Lake Bath
• Ensana Thermal Aqua****
• Ensana Thermal Hévíz**** superior
• Hotel Europa fit**** superior
• Hunguest Hotel Helios
• Kolping Hotel Spa & Family Resort ****
• NaturMed Hotel Carbona**** superior

Thermal water with a temperature of 32-34°C is ideal for the body. The water composition of the thermal water of Hévíz has proven anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Uniquely, the depth of the water allows the muscles to relax completely and the joints to perfectly relieve while swimming/floating in the water.

The effectiveness of the Hévíz medicinal lake is the result of a combination of several therapeutic factors

• the thermal effect of the water
• its mass and constant flow
• its gas and radium emanation content
• hydrostatic pressure
• bathing in the open air

Bathing in water at 32-34°C is the most optimal temperature for the body, as it is considered an indifferent temperature, which allows the water to effectively exert its chemical and biological properties and its calming effects on the nervous system.
The water rising from the spring cave keeps the water in constant motion and creates a vertical flow giving the bather a light, floating sensation.

The lake water is rich in gaseous substances, it contains hydrogen sulphide, carbonic acid, methane and radium gases. During bathing, gas bubbles adhere to the skin and are absorbed through it exerting their beneficial effects. The gases that escape from the water are then inhaled and enter the body through the lungs. The sulphur and radium emanations that are released promote cell regeneration, the function of certain endocrine glands, the production of immune substances and play an important role in healing.

In Lake Hévíz, unlike in most thermal waters, you bathe standing, in an upright position. This means that the legs, which are submerged deeper, are under more pressure than the upper parts of the body, which is beneficial for blood circulation: the pressure of the water drives blood from the veins in the lower limbs towards the heart.

Would you like to learn about the composition of the water?

The water of Lake Hévíz is calcium and magnesium bicarbonate-rich thermal water

The "speciality" of Hévíz

Weight bath is an underwater treatment designed to move the vertebrae of the spine away from each other, thus stretching the spinal column. The stretching allows the discs to return to their original healthy state. Weight bath is completely painless as the buoyancy of the water relaxes the body and the weights stretch the spine very gently. During the treatment, the patient "hangs" in the pool suspended by the neck and/or under the arms while weights are placed on the waist and/or ankles, depending on the condition. The weights are usually 2, 3 or 5 kilograms.

In the weight bath, the weights used can be suspended in 3 different ways:

• one-point suspension (neck only)
• two-point suspension (underarm support)
• three-point suspension (neck and underarm support)

Weights can be placed on the patient under medical instructions but not more than 20 kg at a time.
Treatment time: 20 minutes on average
Water temperature: indifferent (34-35 °C)

Indications:

• relieving pressure on discs and nerve roots
• easing of muscle spasms
• reducing ligament and muscle contractions

Contraindications:

• cardiovascular complaints
• high temperature, infectious disease
• acute musculoskeletal disease
• slipped vertebrae
• malignant tumour
• 6 weeks after disc surgery

In each case, the parameters of the weight-bath treatment, the duration, and the weight to be used are determined by the attending physician. Weight baths should only be used on the advice of a specialist. The treatments are carried out with gradual loads according to the parameters. Patients are suspended through the neck or underarm support.

Weight baths are available in the facilities of the Hévíz Spa and the St. Andrew’s Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, such as the Rheumatology Hospital, the Lake Baths and the Festetics Bathhouse, as well as in the hotels offering the Traditional Hévíz Therapy.

Mud wraps for healing

Hévíz mud is mostly peat of vegetable origin, dark grey and soft. It is unique, it has a special medicinal effect because of the radium salts and reduced sulphur compounds it contains. The medicinal water and mud from the tens of thousands of years old Pannonian Sea, together with complex physiotherapy treatments, are suitable for treating all rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders.

The mud is used in the form of mud wraps in the course of therapies. The mud treatment lasts 20 minutes and is applied to a maximum of six body parts at a time. After the treatment, at least half an hour of rest is recommended.

It is recommended for the following diseases:

• in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal disorders, in the case of abrasion, calcification, and inflammatory diseases
• in certain orthopaedic cases
• in some neurological problems
• for specific internal and gynaecological diseases

In Hévíz, mud baths can only be carried out on medical advice, but the mud pool of Lake Hévíz can be used with due caution.

Try it!

Pampering and health preservation at the master level: the therapeutic masseurs of Hévíz have found out how to combine the beneficial effects of therapeutic massage and medicinal mud in one treatment. This has become the Hévíz mud massage. Its main advantage is that it can be tried without a doctor's consultation. You only need to discuss with the masseur if there are any contraindications.

Try the cosmetic treatment with Hévíz mud

Today there are several types of cosmetic mud available on the beauty market - including one based on the peat mud of Hévíz. The products made from this mud make the skin velvety and soft. They also have a beneficial effect on skin and connective tissue cell renewal, reduce inflammation and the signs of ageing - as the heat dilates the capillaries, the supply of nutrients and oxygen increases and makes the skin more resistant.

All you need to know about therapeutic massage

The specialists of Hévíz recommend therapeutic massages as one of the main elements of the traditional treatments - in addition to bathing therapy. Therapeutic massage is an important treatment in physiotherapy. A 10-15 minute bath in thermal water is recommended before the massage. It relaxes the soft tissues and makes the massage more effective.

Therapeutic massages include:

• Swedish massage,
• reflex zone (segment, connective tissue, periosteal) massage,
• lymph massage,
• sports and refreshing massages.

The general effect of massage is to increase blood and lymphatic circulation. Heart rate and blood pressure change, metabolism speeds up, body temperature and breathing changes, excretion increases and thus detoxification. It also has a positive effect on the nervous system.

Click here to watch videos of several types of therapeutic and wellness massages.

Massages, including therapeutic massages, have a number of contraindications, so it is always necessary to consult a massage therapist before treatment.

Physiotherapy is an umbrella term that includes movement, electro-, and magnetic therapies.

Electrotherapy

In the course of the treatment two electrodes are used to send a low-voltage current to painful areas, and as a result, a slight tingling sensation is felt. Electrotherapy treatments are specifically designed to speed up healing and are excellent for ligament injuries.
Galvanic electrotherapy is good for pain relief and increases blood flow. Low-frequency treatments include ultrasound, magnetic resonance, diadynamic, ionomodulator, sonopuls, stymat, sonodynator, dionine, endomed, or cryotherapy, which is an excellent treatment for fresh joint injuries using cold air.

There are three types of high-frequency treatments: decimetric wave, microwave, short wave. During the treatment, high-frequency machines use the thermal effect of electricity to produce tissue engorgement.

• Electrotherapies: iontophoresis treatment, Diadynamic, Myotest, Interference treatment, Ultrasound treatment
• Magnetotherapy - magnetic ring, also known as pulsatron.
• Light therapies: Sollux, laser, evolite
• Mechanotherapy (movement therapy):
  Passive: massage, therapeutic massage, andActive: physiotherapy, which can be individual or group therapy

Several of the above can be found in our video library to help you understand what they are used for and why.

Movement therapies are an effective way to achieve rapid improvement in musculoskeletal complaints and spinal problems.

During general movement development, the aim is to stimulate brain functions, increase and refine attention and concentration skills. Also, the movement therapy developments applied in Hévíz, such as physiotherapy, targeted spinal exercise, aim at healing, regeneration and prevention. These methods are particularly important in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is of paramount importance in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, as it can effectively help to improve health conditions caused by a sedentary lifestyle.
During individual and group sessions, patients learn the movements that are important for them from qualified therapists, and can later do them at home. The aim is to restore damaged spines and joints, improve the musculoskeletal condition and correct posture.

Spinal exercise

A method used mainly to increase the range of motion of the spinal column and to mobilise the neck and waist. But successful results can be achieved by stretching muscles shortened due to incorrect posture or pain, strengthening muscles around the back, abdomen, hips, and improving coordination.

Underwater gymnastics

It combines the effects of physiotherapy with the healing and beneficial physical properties of water. The movements performed in the water are less strenuous, so they can also be done by people who find traditional gymnastics exhausting.

In addition to the traditional methods listed above, special methods can also be used to treat back problems:

• Schroth therapy
• Manual therapy
• McKenzie method
• Kinesio tape
• Spineliner treatment

Thermal water, not for external use only

Dr Noémi Gyarmati says the following about the use of Hévíz sulphurous thermal water as a drinking cure: “It can be used successfully to increase intestinal function and stomach acid production, in cases of chronic intestinal inflammation, constipation or haemorrhoids. It relieves gall-bladder diseases and helps the healing of respiratory tract infections. Also, it can be used not as a drinking cure but as a gargle for chronic inflammation of the oral mucosa with good results."

Of course, like all medicinal waters, this one has contraindications too, so the consumption of sulphurous water should be avoided in the case of:

• acute inflammation of the liver and biliary tract,
• and increased thyroid function.

In the town, there are drinking fountains with medicinal water that can be used free of charge:

• • In the building of the indoor spa of the Hévíz Spa and St. Andrew’s Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, opposite the entrance to Festetics Square (opening hours: 7.00 - 17.00)
• At the Kölcsey street event area

Thermal water can also be consumed at the drinking fountains in hotels where thermal water is used in therapy.
The thermal water of Hévíz cannot be bottled, so fresh water can only be consumed at the drinking fountains.

Treatment with water

The physical properties of water are used in water therapies, and their effects are greatly enhanced by treatment with medicinal water. It mostly reduces the recovery time of people suffering from musculoskeletal disorders.
The temperature of the water - cold or hot - produces further opposite effects. In a hot bath, vasodilation occurs, blood pressure decreases and the heartbeat speeds up. In cold water baths, blood vessels constrict, causing blood pressure to rise, heart rate to fall and coronary arteries to constrict.

Types of treatment

In addition to the mud and weight bath treatments listed in the basic elements of the Traditional Hévíz Therapy, the following methods are also included in hydrotherapy, i.e. water treatments:

• Carbonic acid bath
• Electric bath
• Contrast bath therapy
• Underwater massage
• Hydroxeur-tub bath