Our History

Spa life in Hódmezővásárhely has a 138-year tradition. The Népkert public bath was handed over in 1886, then the city's first sandy pool was established by doctor Sándor Gaál in June 1928, on his own land in Kishomok. Almost at the same time, Dr. Doctor János Tornyai had a pool built from concrete in Újváros, at the end of Síp utca. The current bath has been operating in the center of the city since July 14, 1929. A continuous 100-meter pool was built in a unique way in the country at the time. Later, it was separated into two more pools, one of which is the thermal pool.

Hódmezővásárhely developed the hospital with a loan of 600,000 dollars from the Swedish bank Speyer in 1925, built roads and new schools, opened a brick quarry and built the first apartment building in the city with this money. The bath was built in 1929 at a relatively low price, from approximately 5 percent of the 600,000 dollars, 140,000 pengős. In the heart of the city, in the western part of the Népkert, a continuous 100 m long concrete pool (deep water suitable for swimming) and 600 cabins was created. Approximately 3,250 m3 of water had to be filled into the pool, which was unique in the country. Every week on Sunday, the water was drained, the pool was cleaned and every time, its sides were fixed. It was designed by Ede Reich, chief city engineer, and executed by Károly Kruzslicz. When it was put into operation, the two-story restaurant complemented the spa. The cash register and staff pavilion on both sides of the entrance on Ady Endre Street formed a smaller construction unit. In addition, a small oval pool, or "duck", was also available to the guests. The 12 m x 7.5 m children's pool was built with a volume of 10 m3. The ceremonial opening was on June 26-27, 1930.

As a result of the 1,050 m deep drilling carried out in 1953, the spa became a thermal bath, and in 1955, a 50 m competition pool and a 50 m warm water pool were created from the original 100 m x 20 m " large pool". The pool, originally with a sandy shore, was concreted around 1964, which greatly contributed to the improvement of water clarity.

In 1962, the main entrance was moved from Ady Endre Street to the north side above Hősök tere.
In the early 1970s, a new restaurant was built next to the entrance above Hősök tere. At that time, the indoor restaurant ceased to exist, with a hot water shower on the lower level and a changing room with hangers on the upper level. The Akvárium restaurant next to the entrance operated until 1992, after which the Hotel Pelikán was created with an extension.

In 1971, the Népkert was added to the spa, and its area was expanded to include a 7.5-hectare, 100-year-old park. Also in this year, the Thermal Camping next to the spa was built. Between 1972 and 1973, a rest room and two new pools were added to the Népkert section: the 25 m learning pool and the "mushroom" children's pool were built. In 1973, the concrete referee's platform was built on the shore of the 50 m competition pool and the 50 m warm water pool was divided into two, thus creating the warm water and the "middle" pool.

In 1980, another therma pool and children's pools were built in the Népkert part. In 1981, in connection with the promotion of the water polo team to Division I, the construction of the dressing room, fitness room, office and grandstand building began.

In 2002-2003, the outdoor pools were completely renovated, and the two-story, 8,000 m2 indoor swimming pool, which meets the strict criteria of swimming competitions, was also built. The Municipal Sports Pool was handed over on August 20, 2003, and Vásárhely athletes could take possession of a 50 m competition pool, a teaching pool, a recreation department and modern changing rooms.

In 2010-2011, a complete renovation of the thermal, the mushroom and one of the teaching pools took place in the back area. The learning pool next to the mushroom has been turned into an outdoor children's experience pool, which awaits our youngest guests with numerous play elements and slides.

At the end of 2014, another part was added to the complex, the indoor experience section. A hot water thermal pool and a children's experience pool have been completed.

The year 2016 was also of great importance in the life of the city and the spa: in Hódmezővásárhely, the Török Sándor Strandfürdő and Dezső Gyarmati Sports Center hosted the 43rd Arena Junior European Swimming Championship. For this occasion, a covered, 33-meter warm-up pool was completed, the indoor pool and its stand were renovated, and the new, all-purpose gym was completed in place of the old concrete changing rooms and stairs.

In 2022, the new slides were built in the training pool in the back area. The 17-meter Kamikaze, the 9-meter Family and the 55-meter Anakonda slides await families who want to relax.

Between 2021-2023, the Hód-Termál Camping belonging to the spa was renovated and reopened. In 2022, the caravan and tent sites were completed, and in 2023, several wooden houses and a renovated service building were handed over.