In the company of Romans ... and castle lords

Life in ancient Ptuj was much like that in other Roman cities. The patricians went to the thermal baths to relax and care for their bodies with daily bathing and exchange the latest gossip. Medieval Ptuj also had public baths, mentioned in 1311, furnished with wooden tubs and buckets. The public baths had permission to perform minor surgical procedures, apply leeches, administer enemas, and shave men. The tradition of baths was revived in the 19th century when a spa was built beside the Drava River that along with pools offered steam baths, showers, and private cabins with tubs. Foreign visitors seeking to experience healing baths began to arrive, and by the 1960’s it was clear that the spa had become too small. The solution was drill, not for oil but for thermal water. And the story continues…

In the shadow of Slovenia’s oldest city, the Ptuj Thermal Spa is among the youngest spas in Slovenia. Its Thermal Park offers 4,200 m² of water surfaces and numerous water attractions. Guests stay in a pleasant setting in three-star apartments and bungalows, and for nature lovers there is a modern four-star campground. Sightseeing the many interesting sights in the city and its surroundings is a real experience that can be enhanced with tasting Ptuj’s excellent food and wine.

In 2007, the Ptuj Thermal Spa completde the most extensive cycle of investment in its history. Grand Hotel Primus, a new four-star hotel with 250 beds, a pool area with saunas, and a wellness center means new prominence in Slovenia’s tourist offer. Work on expanding the apartment settlement and the campground will also continue, and in the coming years the Ptuj Thermal Spa will offer 1,000 beds and represent an important link in the tourist offer of the region. Major emphasis will be placed on establishing a working symbiosis with the tourist offer of the City of Ptuj and the surrounding area.