Danubius Health Spa Resort Bük

Danubius Health Spa Resort Bük
(former Thermal & Sport Hotel Bük) - Bükfürdő

Bükfürdő

Bath Bük

Bük, the village well-known all over Europe, developed into one of Hungary's most remarkable spas in the second half of the 20th century. The thermal waters of inestimable value, the subalpine climate, the environment abound in places of interest, the well-kept look of the settlement, and the services of a high standard assure that the guests encounter excellent conditions to heal and relax.

The large village with about 3000 inhabitants is situated in the Micro-region of Upper Répce, in County Vas, in the tourist region of Western Transdanubia, in Hungary. The holiday resort lying on the Répce Plain at the meeting point of Alpokalja and Kisalföld regions is situated 27 and 45 kilometres of Szombathely and Sopron, respectively. The closeness of the Austrian-Hungarian border is of high significance in the development of both the spa and the region.

The climate of Bük and its surroundings is basically continental, characterized by average humidity, and slightly windy weather. The anual mean temperature is 9,7 °C. The average annual amount of rain is 650 ml. The annual amount of sunny hours is 1900, the summers are hot. The subalpine climate of the village is ideal for tourism. There are also other climatic holidy resorts in the area (Kőszeg, Velem).

The advantageous climatic conditions positively influence the vegetation as well (the vegetation period is more than 240 days), the flora of the region is characterised by the colourfulness of the landscape of Hungary.

With its green belt, streets full of flowers and trees, and pleasant climate, Bük is highly attractive to its visitors.

The short history of Bük village

The village has 3086 inhabitants and is situated in the valley of the River Répce (Rabnitz), in Alpokalja region.

The area of the village has been inhabited since the bronze age. The first Magyar settlers of Hungary settled down here as well at the beginning of the 10th century. The first church of the area was built in the 12th century, in the neighbourhood of which the village 'Byk', first mentioned in a charter in 1271, was found. From the 15th century, three villages by the name of Bük existed, next to one another. They were inhabited by lower nobles and villeins. Under the reign of the Árpád Dynasty and in the 14th Century, the family 'Büki-' was best known. In the 17th-18th centuries, several country leaders and fortress constables originated from the mankóbüki Horváth and felsőbüki Nagy families. Pál Felsőbüki Nagy was a noted Member of Parliament in the first half of the 19th century. In his rousing harangues, he fought for the development of the Hungarian language and for the relief of villeins' burdens.

The civil development of the three Bük villages was accelerated by the railway construction of the 1860s, then by the sugar works starting its operation in 1867. The three villages were built together and finally united in 1902, under the name of 'Bük, incorporated municipality'. Starting in the late 19th century, different associations had been formed in the village, the activity of which led to a lively social and cultural life in the village. At the time of the 1850 census, the three villages had a population of 1571. By 1910, this number had increased to 2965.

The First World War cost Bük nearly 100 lives. The Bük Sugar Works burnt down in 1917. The factory ceased to be rebuilt by its owners. The majority of the workers remained without a living, many of them emigrated from the village - a part of them overseas.

The Second World War also shortened the life of nearly 100 Bük inhabitants. In the spring of 1945, 115 Bük families received land of some acres, and other 119 a new building plot. Electricity was installed in the village in 1946. In 1949, the formation of the collectivised sector was started in Bük, too. The ex-workshops of the Sugar Works were turned into an agricultural machine centre, agricultural and industrial co-operatives were founded. These workplaces provided their workers with a modest living.

The great flood of the River Répce of 1965 destroyed or seriously damaged more than 100 homes. Then, thanks to the country-wide help, new houses were built, new streets were opened in the village. After the flood, the ditch leading through the middle part of Bük was deepened and covered. Its surroundings, and thus the centre of the village was converted into a beautiful park. In 1972, the water tower, which made drinking water supply by conduits possible, was put into operation. By the end of the 1980s, the sewage network of the village had been completed; at the beginning of the 1990s, the gas supply network was implemented.

Instead of petroleum, thermal water was found at the border of the village. Based on the bore put down, the hydrotherapeutic establishment started to operate in 1962, on a seasonal basis. In the next couple of years, other pools and service facilities were built on the resort area becoming more and more flowery. The indoor bath has been operating since 1972, the recreational park since 1997. In the past decades, a real little spa has developed, with its holiday camps, hotels, shops and other service facilities. Since the 1970s, Bükfürdő has become a resort of international significance.

The development in the spa area has brought about important changes in the daily life of the village, as well. The population stopped decreasing (the population of the village was 2580 in 1970) and began to increase. In the 1940s, 70% of the people did some kind of agricultural activity for a living. Today, 9% of the total number of wage-earners work in this sector, 68% of them, however, in the servicing sector. A whole range of boarding houses, camping sites, shops and restaurants have been opened. A lot more and bigger houses are being built, and the already existing ones are being extended. More than 600 families in the village receive guests at their homes or holiday cottages.

Bük today

It is the thermal baths, which has extraordinary characteristics compared to the other famous Hungarian thermal baths as well, that made the name of Bük world-famous. It is a popular destination for both Hungarian and foreign guests wishing to heal and relax. It is no accident, since it has developed into one of Hungary's most remarkable spas. The thermal waters of inestimable value and having healing energy, together with the subalpine climate, the environment abound in places of interest, and the well-kept look of the settlement. It is the medical services of a high standard provided in quiet conditions that account for the high recognition.

On the area of 13 hectares in surface nicely imparked, 11 outdoor pools, 6 indoor pools, 1 half-covered pool, as well as a 50 m x 20 m swimming pool (all owned by Büki Gyógyfürdő Rt.) provide the possibility for the guests to swim. The thermal wells give medicinal waters with excellent healing effect, containing alkali hydrogen-carbonate; besides, the waters contain significant amount of fluoride, iodide and iron. The waters are used with patients suffering from rheums or patients of orthopaedics or traumatology in the form of balneotherapy; in case of diseases of the digestive system, the waters are used by way of drinking; to cure catarrhs in the respiratory tracts, the waters are to be inhaled.

The Hungarian-style kitchens of the special local restaurants, one of the most wonderful 18-hole golf courts in Europe, the open-air entertainment programmes and musical evenings are all there to assure our guests amusement. The village possesses nearly 6500 places of accommodation: from 4-star hotels, through campsites to private guestrooms. The three lakes and the River Répce, as well as the forests on the surrounding hills provide pleasant experiences for anglers and hunters or horse-riders, respectively.

The thermal baths and medical hotels provide services of a fairly wide range. Besides the different medical services, it is the wide range of various accommodation (Danubius Health Spa Resort Bük), catering, fitness, sports and hobby facilities that accompany the experiences gained by taking thermal baths.

The local government of the village, as well as the inhabitants look after th guests cordially at all times. The village and its lovely surroundings provide good opportunity to spend spare time for all generations. Give us a chance to let you, your family, friends and acquaintances enjoy the traditional Hungarian hospitality.