History reference.
Turkey’s Yalova Thermal Resort (tur. Yalova Kaplıcaları, Eng. Yalova Thermal Resort) is located 2.5 hours drive from Istanbul and has been famous for its hot mineral springs since the times of the Ottoman Empire.
The first thermal baths in these parts were built during the reign of the Byzantine emperor Constantine (312-337 AD), about 1600 years ago.
During the Ottoman period, the resort was not very appreciated, the sultans and their families mostly improved their health in Bursa. Only in the middle of the 19th century, the Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid (1831-1861) reconstructed the baths, and his mother, Alem Valide Sultan, received a wonderful cure for rheumatism at these springs. Today, the Valide Sultan thermal hammam is still operating on the territory of the resort. With the beginning of the Balkan wars (1912-1913, 1918-1922) the resort was empty and only with the coming to power of the great leader of Turkey Atatürk (August 19, 1919) a new period of development began in Yalova.
The founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, fell in love with Yalova very much. In the last years of his life, he often visited these places to improve his failing health, and once even said, “Yalova is my city.” Among the attractions of the resort is a small house where Ataturk stayed. Not far from it is a picturesque 26-meter waterfall.
The current Yalova is a district center in northwestern Turkey. The town of Yalova itself has about 71,000 inhabitants and over 190,000 people live in its provincial environs. Today, Yalova is called one of the most modern Turkish resorts with thermal waters. Due to the presence of thermal springs here and because of the proximity to Istanbul, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the city every year.
Yalova is located in a valley on the coast of the Sea of Marmara. On three sides it is surrounded by mountains and the most beautiful Mediterranean forests and is completely different from other Turkish resorts. There are practically no ancient ruins and other antiquities, the sea plays a secondary role, and the All Inclusive system so familiar to Turkish guests is not found in all hotels. But there is virgin nature, picturesque mountain landscapes and, of course, thermal springs and mineral waters.
Tourists from all over the world come here to undergo wellness procedures. The measured life of Yalova, the absence of noisy night discos, the unique nature – all this attracts those who are tired of the daily bustle of the city, who dream of breaking out of the crazy rhythm.
The city can welcome tourists all year round – in the vicinity there are thermal springs, walking, jogging and cycling routes laid through beautiful landscapes, as well as numerous campsites. Mineral springs are located outside of Yalova, in the Termal area. Turkish baths, a large public swimming pool and several hotels have been built near hot natural springs.
Distance.
Yalova – Istanbul: 174 km
Yalova – Bursa: 69 km
Yalova – Kocaeli: 63 km
Yalova – Gölcük: 50 km
Yalova – Gemlik: 43 km
Yalova – Karamürsel: 30 km
Yalova – Orhangazi: 21 km
Healing properties.
The “heart” of the Yalova resort is the village of Gökchedere, on the territory and in the vicinity of which most of the thermal springs are located. One of the most famous complexes with medicinal waters called “Yalova Thermal” is located in the village of Gokcheder. It is located just 14 km south of the regional center, right in a picturesque mountain gorge, surrounded by virgin forest and pleases with the purest mountain air. Under the mountains in this place there is a magma pocket, which is located close to the surface of the earth. It heats groundwater, simultaneously saturating it with a dozen useful minerals for the human body and pushing it to the surface under great pressure. Baths are organized in places of water outlet: baths, jacuzzi, pools, saunas.
Mineral water from the thermal springs of the Yalova resort is characterized by its properties as hyperthermal. The chemical composition varies depending on the source. In general, local water contains a large amount of calcium, sodium, sulfur, silver ions. It can be taken both externally and internally. As a rule, each source is accompanied by a sign for which diseases it is recommended.
Water from mineral springs has a temperature of +40 C° to +60 C° and is used for – the treatment of such ailments:
– skin diseases;
– gynecological diseases;
– diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
– diseases of the respiratory tract (except tuberculosis);
– endocrinological diseases;
– diseases of the genitourinary organs;
– nervous diseases;
– inflammatory processes and rheumatism;
a special effect is on the liver, gallbladder and kidneys.
However, before going to the resort for the purpose of treatment and rehabilitation, we strongly recommend that you consult with a specialized doctor.
In Termal there are hotels of various price categories and concepts. Some hotels offer comfortable conditions for family vacations, treatment and rehabilitation.
The hotels are open all year round. If you want to combine balneological procedures with swimming in the sea, then it is best to come here in late spring, summer and the first months of autumn. Weather. Monthly average air temperature: January +0-3C°; February +0-5C°; March +7-10C°; April +11-25C°; May +15-28C°; June +25-30C°; July +27-30C°; August +29-31C°; September +25-19C°; October +15-11C°; November +11-7C°; December +0-7C°.
The water temperature in the Marble Sea is from +22C° in May to +25C° in August +28C°. It is quite possible to apply the temperature standards of Istanbul to Yalova.
