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Hot Springs and Their Cultural Heritage

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The Geoheritage of Hot Springs

Part of the book series: Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism ((GGAG))

Abstract

This chapter takes an alternative approach to the history of hot springs by focusing on the cultural geoheritage with examples from different countries. Hot spring sites have played a consistent role in determining human settlements as they were not only important points of water supply, but they also provided a source of warm and mineral-rich water with healing benefits. The cultural knowledge from early civilisations was passed on from one generation to the next and reflects the special cultural, mythological, and religious connections different societies had with natural water sources. For thousands of years different societies used hot spring sites as centres for cultural activities and communal gatherings. To this day purification and cleansing rituals in combination with prayer are still a tradition to refresh and balance body, mind, and soul.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geotourism, Hervey Bay, QLD, Australia

    Patricia Erfurt

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  1. Patricia Erfurt
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Correspondence to Patricia Erfurt .

6.8 Appendices

6.8 Appendices

Appendix 6.1 Old Customs—Coins in Springs

figure b

Throwing coins in hot and cold springs or fountains (wishing wells) is an old worldwide custom. In exchange for a wish to come true or for good health and good luck people do not mind parting with some small coins—just in case

Appendix 6.2 Roman Thermal Baths—Floor Plans

figure c

1—One of the Roman baths (Bücheltherme) in Aachen, Germany; Drawing by Lersch (1878); 2—In contrast the floor plan of the Antonine Thermal Baths in Carthage, Tunisia, displays a much more generous layout

Appendix 6.3 Peninsula Hot Springs, Australia, Site Map

figure d

The modern version of a large hot spring bathing facility is represented in this site plan of the Peninsula Hot Springs (Australia). An area of 42 acres of former grazing land devoid of trees has been transformed into a hot spring paradise with multicultural hot spring bathing and wellness experiences. Since the land was bought in 1997 by Charles and Richard Davidson, over 100,000 trees have been planted to create a forest of native vegetation to provide a natural setting that surrounds the many hot spring pools

Appendix 6.4 Peninsula Hot Springs—Health and Wellness Experience

figure e

1—Hot springs, fresh air, sunshine, and a natural peaceful environment help to relax and contribute to a sense of wellbeing; 2—While this hot spring looks like a natural pool in the wilderness, it is part of the highly developed Peninsula Hot Springs complex and one example of many different hot spring experiences; 3—Healthy activities at PHS include hot spring yoga classes; 4—Even the drinking water fountains completely blend into the natural vegetation and remind guests to stay hydrated; 5, 6—Fresh health food organically grown at PHS—from the garden to the table; 7, 8—Day and night view of the hot spring pools in the Bathing Gully, which was built with local granite and limestone

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Erfurt, P. (2021). Hot Springs and Their Cultural Heritage. In: The Geoheritage of Hot Springs. Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60463-9_6

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