Sibyllenbad

Sibyllenbad is a Heilquellenkurbetrieb — a spa-treatment operation built on certified healing springs — in the recognised spa town of Bad Neualbenreuth in the Upper Palatinate, close to the Bohemian spa triangle. The Kurmittelhaus stands about a kilometre outside the village centre in the Kurallee, opposite an eight-hectare spa park. The bath draws two healing waters. The radon-bearing Katharinenquelle is used exclusively for single tub baths in the medical department: its published analysis gives a radon content (222Rn) of 83.5 nCi/l or 3,100 Bq/l, sodium 19.7 mg/l, calcium 21.0 mg/l, magnesium 6.4 mg/l, iron 1.3 mg/l, fluoride 0.2 mg/l, chloride 21.4 mg/l, sulphate 18.5 mg/l and hydrogen carbonate 90.0 mg/l, at a source temperature of 9.4 °C. The carbonated-mineral Sibyllenquelle is analysed as free carbon dioxide 704.0 mg/l, sodium 161.5 mg/l, calcium 106.9 mg/l, magnesium 31.7 mg/l, iron 2.7 mg/l, fluoride 0.9 mg/l, chloride 72.8 mg/l, sulphate 44.4 mg/l and hydrogen carbonate 775.0 mg/l, at a source temperature of 12.3 °C. No total mineralisation is stated for either spring.

The operator is explicit about how the water reaches the pools: the carbonated-mineral Sibyllenquelle is mixed into the basins of the healing-water bathing landscape at between 50 and 70 per cent, while 100 per cent healing water is reserved for single tub baths; guests of the Kurmittelhaus can also drink the Sibyllenquelle free at a fountain in the basement. Radon baths have been given here for more than 35 years against rheumatic, spinal and joint conditions, in series of at least six and up to twelve single tub baths and only on medical prescription; they are billable through the statutory health insurers only as an outpatient preventive cure. The published indication list for radon covers inflammatory and degenerative rheumatic disease, Bechterew's disease, gout arthritis, psoriatic arthropathy, polymyalgia rheumatica, arthrosis, spinal degeneration, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, states after orthopaedic operations, neuralgias and polyneuropathies, multiple sclerosis and chronic sinusitis, with contraindications including hyperthyroidism, acute infection, severe heart muscle weakness and pregnancy. The Sibyllenquelle is indicated for borderline hypertension, states after stroke, heart attack, coronary dilation with or without stent and bypass surgery, arrhythmias, peripheral arterial circulatory disorder of the legs and diabetic polyneuropathy.

The healing-water bathing landscape delivers water at 34–36 °C through swan-neck spouts, floor bubblers and massage jets, and is listed as one therapy basin and two attraction basins with whirlpool and bubble lounger, an Irish-Roman steam bath, and a rest gallery with an infrared cabin (2.00 € for 30 minutes for two people) plus a separate rest room. The outdoor bathing area holds an outdoor pool given as 36 °C and a counter-current pool at 27 °C, together with a healing-water parcours with an evaporation grotto and a lawn. A fitness room with a Synchro training circuit sits on the gallery, and Aquarobic and water gymnastics classes are free. Children under ten may not enter the bathing landscape for medical reasons.

The wellness side offers eight different saunas in modern Bauhaus style with a sauna garden redesigned in spring 2022. In the basement are an infusion sauna with infusions every hour on the half hour, a birch sauna at 90 °C and more with 10–15 % humidity, a steam sauna at 45 °C and 100 % humidity, a Vital sauna at about 60 °C with 30–40 % humidity and a stone-pine sauna at about 85 °C with 10–15 % humidity; upstairs are a hay sauna at about 80 °C with 12–15 % humidity, a herb sauna at about 75 °C with 15–20 % humidity and a new mill-wheel sauna at about 50–65 °C with up to 75 % humidity and an automatic infusion. The oriental BadeTempel, built in the style of a Turkish hamam, is currently closed for refurbishment. Under-14s are not admitted to the sauna landscape, and Tuesday from 17:00 is a women's day.

The bathing landscape and fitness room open daily 08:00–20:00, closed 24 and 25 December; the sauna landscape opens daily 10:00–22:00, and from June to August 10:00–20:00. The medical department runs Monday to Friday 08:00–19:00. Admission to the bathing landscape is 9.00 € for two hours, 12.00 € for three hours and 19.00 € for a day ticket from four hours; the sauna landscape including the bathing landscape costs 19.00 €, 22.00 € and 29.00 €, with a Guten Morgen sauna ticket (admission until 10:30) and a Schöner Abend ticket (admission from 17:00) at 15.00 € for two hours.