Student: Monika Knoskova
History of Piestany
(Saluberrimae Pistinienses thermae)
A man breaking his crutch across his knee is the symbol of Piestany and the town's celebrated device. Piestany is situated in the valley of the river Vah, 160 m above sea level. It is sheltered by Piestansky Inovec range on the east, and by the Little Carpathians on the west, that's why the town has a warm, dry climate, with little wind.
Piestany region was already dwelt in the prehistorical times. The Renaissance with its interest in nature and humans saw the establishment of the spa. The first look recommending Piestany was 'De Admirandis Hungariae Aquis Hypponemation' written by G.Wernhera published in Basil in 1549. The first spa house was built in 1780 by the owner of the land Jan Nepomuk-Erdody. The Erdody dynasty owned and developed the spa till 1889. After that, Alexander Winter and Sons leased the spa. The company father Alexander and his son Ludovit were determined to build a world renowned spa center. In 1932 spa island was connected by a wonderful roofed bridge - Colonnade, word of the architect Bellus. In 1960s, the number of visitor to Piestany increased rapidly. There were not enough hotels, therapies, and services. Guests needed new spa buildings of Balnea were built along an axis of the Spa Island in a short period of time. The Balnea Palace was built in 1968. The second Balnea Esplanade was built around the Balnea Palace, which is closest to the old core of the spa now. The whole Balnea complex was completed in 1971, as a spacious and good quality answer to the increase on demand for spa services in 1960s. In the Balnea complex: Esplanade and Palace are lower, Splendid and Grand are higher and also the last viewed from the old part of the spa, from the quality point of view they are the first ones.