17 photos of the oldest spa resort in the world, where, according to legend, Hercules swam (18 photos)

Hercules stopped here to rest, and the aristocrats of Ancient Rome loved the local baths.





The Romans knew a lot about relaxation; throughout Europe you can still find the ruins of ancient Roman baths, which were a magnet for the aristocracy. On the site of one such bathhouse, a spa resort appeared, which is now in a decadent state. It was visited by Roman Robroek, who is fond of stalking: he studies abandoned places, photographs them and writes about his travels.

Now he went to one of the oldest resorts, where, according to legend, Hercules himself stayed to rest and wash. It is located in the Romanian town of Baile Herculane, and it is one of the oldest spa resorts in Europe. There are 16 hot springs with sulfur, which have been treating various ailments for many centuries. And of course, healing mountain air: the baths are located in the mountains, which protect the resort from the winds.

Baile Herculane, or Herculanean Baths, has been known as a spa resort since 153



There is a legend that Hercules himself bathed in local springs during his campaigns





This is probably just a myth, but one thing is certain: Roman legionnaires loved to relax here



They called these places the waters of Hercules



Soon the Aquae Herculai baths appeared here, which attracted the attention of the Roman aristocracy.



They were known throughout the Roman Empire



And of course, they rebuilt them with all the luxury for which the Romans are so famous



With the decline of Rome, the baths were abandoned until the 18th century, when a resort appeared here



Several new buildings were rebuilt on the territory, and during construction, statues of Hercules were found



Baile-Erkulane fell in love with the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph: he was a frequent guest here



They even had their own house in the town



In communist Romania, multi-storey hotels were built at the resort



Employees were given vouchers to the resort; over time, the old houses fell into disrepair



And by the end of the twentieth century, the entire resort faced such a fate



Today the historical buildings have not been restored



However, the smallest part of the resort is still functioning



Perhaps someday Baile Herculane will again become a famous spa center