SALT HILL AND WELLS

Egerszalók’s real attraction, on the southern side of the village, is the thermal spring erupting from deep in the earth and limestone hill created by water runoff, which over the years has come to be known as “salt hill.” The 65-68 C medicinal water rich in mineral content continually builds jagged, white formations, offering an imposing spectacle.  The hot spring is surrounded by pine trees all around and a bit tucked away.

The first well was drilled in 1961 in search of oil and natural gas, with the drilling of a second well taking place in 1987.  While consecrating the wells in the autumn of 2010, they received the names of Mary and Wendelin. The icon of Mary the Miracle Worker can be found in the Egerszalók Catholic Church, while Saint Wendelin is the patron saint of springs and wells.

In 1992, the Ministry of Health qualified the thermal waters of Egerszalók as “medicinal.” Based on the composition of the water, it can be classified as calcium magnesium hydrogen carbonate mineral water, for which the sulphur content is also significant.

The medicinal water of calcium magnesium hydrogen carbonate also contains sodium and a significant amount of metasilicic acid, and has been ranked as one of the best in the sulphuric medicinal waters category. Over the years, the limestone hill has become a symbol and trademark of the surrounding area. It’s a sight unique to Europe, with similar natural formations found only in two other places in the world, at Pamukkale in the Asian part of Turkey and in Yellowstone National Park in the United States.

Calcium has an anti-inflammatory effect, and sulphur is an important component of cartilage in the joints.

The components of this famous medicine water are:

Total dissolved mineral content: 1602 mg/l

Component		Measured value (mg/L)
Metaboric acid	HBO2	11,1
Metasilicic acid	H2SiO3	50
Free carbon dioxide	CO2	328
Bound	CO2	227
Cations
Potassium	K+	11,1
Sodium	Na+	64,0
Ammonium	NH4+	0,41
Calcium	Ca2+	154
Magnesium	Mg2+	22,6
Iron	Fe2+	0,08
Manganese	Mn2+	0
Lithium	Li+	0,21
Anions
Nitrát	NO3-	<1
Nitrate	NO2-	0
Chloride	C1	29
Bromide	Br-	0,18
Iodide	J-	0,03
Fluoride	F-	1,61
Sulphate	SO4-	71
Hydrogen carbonate	HCO3-	628
Sulphide	S2-	3,5
Phosphate (total)	PO4+	0

Source: Saliris Resort Spa & Conference Center

Examination conducted by Vízkutató Kémia Ltd., serving as an accredited laboratory on October 30, 2007

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