Termalni vodeni park Aquae Balissae

Termalni vodeni park Aquae Balissae is a thermal water park in the centre of Daruvar, a small town in the western part of Slavonia in continental Croatia. The operator states that the park lies only 300 metres from the main town square, 125 kilometres from Zagreb and 130 kilometres from Osijek, and suggests walking there through Julijev park or along the promenade beside the river Toplica. According to the operator, the site covers 10,000 square metres, of which 2,000 square metres are water surfaces, and it was built in 2008. The site sets out separate open-air and indoor bathing areas, so that the park is usable in summer and in winter alike.

Thermal water

According to the operator, the water park "uses exclusively geothermal water whose average temperature is 32 degrees Celsius". The site adds that pool water must be clear, clean and compliant with the required quality standards, and that it is therefore passed through mechanical purification equipment and treated with the prescribed chemical agents, with automatic dosing of water-care products, constant sampling and regular inspection. On its history page the operator relates the name Aquae Balissae to the Roman settlement founded here after the conquest of Pannonia, explains it as meaning "strong springs", and says the resort was visited by Roman emperors, legionaries and citizens from across the empire.

Pools

The operator describes two bathing areas. For the summer season the site states that over 2,000 square metres of water surfaces are available, where visitors can use two large pools, children's pools, a calm river more than 200 metres long, two slides, a sunbathing area and various catering facilities. For the winter the operator describes an indoor part of the building with over 400 square metres of water surfaces, from which it singles out a pool with four 25-metre swimming lanes, a children's pool, a cave, a slide and a whirlpool. The site states that the pools are rich in water effects such as back massages, geysers, a torrent and water showers. The operator's overview page also lists a restaurant serving food and pizza, a pool bar and an ice point.

Sauna and wellness

The operator describes an "oasis of calm" containing a Finnish and a Turkish sauna, a whirlpool and an area for massages and relaxation. According to the site, the Finnish sauna is a traditional form of sweating for health, with dry hot air at between 85 and 88 degrees Celsius (around 40 degrees at the bottom of the cabin and reaching 100 degrees at the top) and air humidity of 10 to 30 per cent. The operator states that the sauna stimulates the circulation, helps the blood supply of the skin, joints and internal organs, cleans the pores and is good in preventing colds and inflammatory skin processes. The site says the whirlpool in the oasis of calm has various underwater massages along with filtration, reheating and disinfection systems, and that using it inside the oasis of calm is not charged separately.

Treatments

The operator states that the aim of every wellness treatment is physical and mental relaxation. The treatment it describes in detail is classical manual massage, which the site explains is based on Western anatomy and physiology, with movements mainly following the flow of blood from the soft tissues towards the heart, ranging from long full-palm strokes to vibration and pinching, with the aim of releasing muscular tension.

Opening hours

The operator's opening-hours page states that the water park is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00 and closed on Monday and Tuesday. The site also publishes notices of exceptions, including annual maintenance closures and separate arrangements for Croatian public holidays, so the operator's own notice board is the guide to check before a visit.