The City of Bük – The Medicinal Spa of Bük
On the fall of 1957, people searched for oil, but contrary to the expectations, the drillings dredged hot water. The settlement recognized the significance of the discovery, built a spa on the hot water well in 1962. The spa developed in the next few years, but operated with only one pool for long. Its water had been officially declared medicinal water in 1965. The indoor spa was opened in 1972 that made convalescence available for the whole year. During the 1970’s, it developed into a spa with international renown. It was declared medicinal spa in 1973 and health resort of national significance in 1979. The decrease of the population stopped and started a dynamic growth. A vast number of campings, hotels, shops, guesthouses and restaurants were built around the medicinal spa.
The recreational park opened in 1992. Today, the spa is the second largest medicinal spa in Hungary. Its area is 14 acre, it has 26 pools (11 of them is covered) and 5000 m2 water surface. The settlement had growth into a holiday resort. Tourism plays a significant role in the life of its citizens.
Places of interest
- The Medicinal Spa of Bük. From the #1 well of Bükfürdő, medicinal water springs from 1282 metres deep. It is thermal water, containing calcium, magnesium and hydrogenecarbonate.
- Roman Catholic church, raised to the honor of Saint Clement, built in the 13th century. It was rebuilt in 1408 in Gothic style. Its tower was built in 1658. It was rebuilt between 1732 and 1757 in Baroque style. Part of its murals are from the Middle Ages, part of it from the 16th century. The Maria column, next to it is from the 18th century.
- The Evangelic church was built without its tower in 1785. Its tower was built in 1826. Its altar and pulpit is from the 18th century.
- The origins of the castle Szapáry date back to the 16th century, that was rebuilt by Felsőbüki Nagy István in Baroque style. Its interior ornamentation was made by Italian artisans. It became private property in 2007 and is used as family home, it is isolated from the outworld by high walls, it is not visitable.
- The mansion Felsőbüki was built by Felsőbüki Nagy Pál around 1790 in Louis XVI style. It was made over in 1880 in eclectic style.
- The interactive nature trail that shows the wildlife near the Répce was finished on the summer of 2013. Its starting point is located at the Széchenyi street, its length is about 150m, it shows the different habitats of the region in a playful method.