Loutra
A small resort town of Loutra (Baths), which
received its name due to the therapeutic geothermal springs, is located on the
beach, 5,5 kilometres to the south of the settlement of Agia Paraskevi located
on a hill in the south-eastern part of the peninsula of Kassandra (Chalkidiki).
Loutra are based at 120 kilometres from
the international port of “Macedonia” in Thessaloniki. It has many villas, town
houses, apartments and hotels. The main occupations of the local population are
fishing, beekeeping, cultivation of olive trees and tourism.
For many centuries, this place enjoys
health-giving springs, healing various illnesses. To this day, Loutra is famous
for rare medicinal qualities of its hot springs with unique composition of
elements and average temperature of 37,5 – 39 ⁰C. In addition, the place is known for its unique
beauty: beaches of golden sand, rocks, pine trees and turquoise sea create a
unique picture of tremendous beauty. Labyrinthine caves of the rocky mountains
are harmonically combined with the evergreen pine trees that reach the sea.
History
According to a legend, the first wellspring
was discovered in Loutra by one of the villagers who was seeking for sulphur
for his vineyard.
After the World War II, residents of
Loutra blew up a rock with dynamite, after which appeared a spring of hydrogen
sulphide of 39 ⁰C
that resulted in the formation of a new thermal power, which was originally
named in honour of St. Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos), and only later it was renamed
as Agia Paraskevi.
Initially, there was an erected small
structure consisting of two rooms. However, in 2000 this place was enriched by establishing
a new modern building of water clinic Lutropoli (thermal town), which was
devoted to the Life-giving Wellspring (Zoodohu piggi), in the honour of which
they also erected a small church.
Healing
qualities of geothermal sources
Modern hydro clinic (SPA) of the village
Agia Paraskevi (with pool, sauna, hammam and Jacuzzi) gained wide popularity
due to its rare curative qualities that are suitable for all ages without
exception. It works for recovery as well as rejuvenation.
It is not by accident that it is
considered one of the best in the world, as fully satisfying the need for
relaxation for the modern busy man. It enjoys beautiful environment and the
provision of high quality health services.
On the basis of the research on the use
of geothermal sources of Agia Paraskevi, conducted by a team of Greek
scientists in conjunction with the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology
(West Germany), the water from these wellsprings is recommended for the
following diseases: pain in bones and joints/muscles, rheumatoid arthritis (RA),
ankylosing spondylitis (Bechterew’s disease and Marie-Strümpell disease),
osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease or
osteoarthrosis) and gouty arthritis (podagra), discopathy (disease of an
intervertebral disk), myositis/myalgia, tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon),
old fractures, cervical syndrome as well as skin diseases, urticaria,
psoriasis, acne, ekzemoobraznye, urological and gynecological diseases, chronic
cystitis and inflammatory processes.
Infrastructure
• Outdoor swimming pool;
• indoor swimming pool;
• rooms;
• cafeterias with soft and non-alcoholic drinks;
• individual cells;
• physiotherapy;
• whirlpool;
• relaxing massage;
• sauna;
• hammam;• medical care.
Among other things, due to diversity of the underwater landscape, Loutra Agia Paraskevi is ideal for diving as the sea is clear, the underwater world is extremely beautiful and the climate is so favourable that diving can take most of the year. In fact, almost the entire peninsula of Chalkidiki, including Cassandra, is a perfect place for scuba diving.
Loutra is located near other settlements with developed tourist infrastructure. Local taverns offer culinary delights of fresh fish. Visitors can explore historical sites that are important from the point of view of archaeology.
View More »
