Turkey is one of important countries in the world in terms of geothermal resources. Bathing in and capitalizing on thermal waters is a tradition on these lands sustained for thousands of years. Kütahya province, which we will introduce today, is another Turkish city that acquired fame thanks to its hot spring waters.
With a past as long as seven thousand years, Kütahya is in the Western Anatolia region. The first thing that springs to mind about Kütahya is its world-famous tiles. Tile making is an ancient art in Kütahya, home to many civilizations. Located at the junction point of Marmara, Aegean and Central Anatolian regions, Kütahya is also famous for its healing waters. Hot thermal waters with different characteristics emerge from almost all parts of the city. Eight of 65 thermal tourism centres designated by a Turkish Ministerial Council decision are located in Kütahya. Thermal waters within the borders of Kütahya are used in the treatment of many diseases, from rheumatism to paralysis and from gynaecological diseases to neurological disorders.
One of Kütahya’s most famous thermal waters are located in Yoncalı village and are named after it. 16 km from the town centre, Yoncalı thermal waters are spread over an area of 500 hectares. Hot spring waters, rich in calcium, magnesium and sulphur, emerge at a temperature of 42 degrees Celsius and are good for patients with inflammatory arthritis and soft tissue rheumatic diseases.
Yoncalı thermal waters are also associated with a legend. According to this legend, Yoncalı was known as a swamp with boiling waters at the slopes of Kirazlı Mountain. Sultan Alaattin Keykubat II of Anatolian Seljuk Empire had an ailing daughter named Gülümser Hatun. Coming down with an illness at a young age, Gülümser Hatun was wasting away at her bed. One day, people heard that a fox which had mange, submerged in the Yoncalı swamp and came out of it all well and healthy. The Sultan was informed of this news, and was recommended that Gülümser Hatun bathe in the swamp. Failing to find cure to his daughter’s ailment for years, Sultan decided to try Yancalı’s boiling waters. Gülümser Hatun bathed in Yoncalı, and stayed there for a while for treatment. She left Yoncalı’s healing waters as a healthy person. Sultan Alaattin Keykubat II ordered the construction of a mosque and a big bath in Yoncalı to promote this place. This mosque and bath are open for visits, if you happen to visit this area.
Another thermal area within the administrative boundaries of Kütahya province is Ilıca hot springs. Surrounded by pine trees and having a quality air, Ilıca hot springs is a perfect place to rest. Also called Harlek and located 21 km north of Kütahya city centre, Ilıca’s thermal waters are at 25 to 43 degrees Celsius at the source. The waters are used in the treatment of rheumatism, skin and neurological conditions, gynaecological diseases, liver, kidney and gall bladder ailments. They are also used in the complementary treatment of gout, insomnia, lumbago and fractures.
The third and last thermal water area in Kütahya we would like to introduce today is Eynal Hot Springs in Simav district. Famous Turkish traveller Evliya Çelebi mentioned Eynal in his Book of Travels written in the 17th century. He said “I travelled to numerous hot springs, but I haven’t seen anything like Eynal. There is no place like Eynal in the world.”
Located in the southwest of Kütahya and 4 km from Simav district, Eynal is as impressive as it was 400 years ago. Water temperature in Eynal hot springs range between 70 to 90 degrees Celsius and these waters are rich in calcium, sodium, bicarbonate and sulphate. There is almost no diseases that waters of Eynal cannot cure. Experts say bathing in Eynal waters could be preferred as a complementary treatment for rheumatic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic low back pain, joint disorders, soft tissue ailments, orthopaedic disabilities, post-brain and nerve surgery conditions, stress disorders and sports injuries.
Eynal’s healing waters are also good for people who suffer from skin conditions, sciatica, calcification, gynaecological diseases and psoriasis as well as those who need to pass kidney stones.
Hot waters of Eynal heal many diseases, but they also ensure the warming of Simav district centre. Geothermal energy is a method of ehating households and greenhouses in the region.
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Source : trt.net.tr
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