Ancient Uses of Geothermal Energy in the Precarpathian Area and in the Pannonian Basin

Abstract

The early beginnings of the utilization by mankind of geothermal waters in the Precarpathian area and in the Pannonian Basin are lost in the darkness of prehistory. Many Neolithic elements attest and intense and continuous human activity in the vicinity of the thermal springs. Heat of the natural manifestations was the first therapeutically relieve for the early inhabitants of the region in question, who during their evolution, came to consider the thermal waters as a gift from the gods. In historical times the used of these waters and the associated thermomineral muds became progressively more frequent and systematic, so that many thermal localities acquired a significant importance as recreational and curing stations. The Great Conquerors (the Romans in the first two/three centuries of the Christian Era, and the Turks in the late Middle Ages), in fact gave fame to numerous thermal localities, like: Aquae Pannonicae (Baden Wien), Aquncum (Budapest), Heviz Spa, Germisara (Geoagiu Spa), Ad Meduam (Hervulane Spa), Felix Spa, ectÖ Even in the period of the Lower Middle Ages these natural sanatoria were attended, mostly by local people, for the treatment of wounds and illnesses by the use of the thermomineral waters and muds. Afterwards, in the Late Renaissance, these thermal localities were rediscovered and flourished again both as curing and recreational stations, especially in the second part of the last century.