The Třeboň spa has come into its own

People knew as far back as antiquity that it pays to look after both body and mind, so this is by no means just a current lifestyle trend. It is good to uphold a domestic tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, one that heals and is truly exceptional. The new spa facility at Aurora Spa in Třeboň combines modern medical facilities with the natural surroundings of a protected landscape area. The Blossom floral tiles from RAKO play a central role in the interior. Their striking design is complemented by black ceramics and an orange floor. The materials and colours were chosen not only for their appearance, but also with the demanding nature of the peat bath operations in mind.

Aurora Spa has entered its 51st season with the opening of the new balneotherapy centre. The extension has increased the capacity of the Třeboň spa by 114 peat baths and massages per day. The new treatment rooms were created by utilising part of one of the spa house’s two atria. “This represents an investment exceeding 68 million crowns excluding VAT. The spa house now has 24 peat treatment rooms at its disposal. The successfully completed project also marked the conclusion of the first phase of the complex’s development, planned to run until 2032,” says Vilém Kahoun, managing director of the spa.

Ever-blooming

The designers were inspired by the spa’s location within the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area, as well as the very purpose of the balneotherapy facilities… rest, physical regeneration and mental balance. “The floral pattern of the Blossom ceramic range has therefore become the main motif of the spa area. It helps to bring nature into the interior and fosters a calm, optimistic atmosphere throughout the facility,” explain the designers. The decorative Blossom range offers dimensionally precise, rectified relief wall tiles measuring 30 x 90 cm. They are manufactured using DryFix technology, which involves the special digital application of dry glazes and granules prior to firing. The relief, floral motifs and striking colours create the impression that the wall is opening out onto the landscape. The floral décor is complemented by black tiles, the choice of which also has a practical reason. The spa facility uses dark Třeboň peat, and the individual surfaces must be cleaned very frequently. “When designing the project, we had to balance aesthetics with very specific operational requirements. The black tiling fits well with an environment where dark peat is used. The orange floor, in turn, harmonises with the flowers on the tiles and ties the entire interior together,” adds Jan Líkař from the design studio A-Z eko ateliér, speaking on behalf of the project’s designers.

The material must stand up to healthcare use

Peat is therapeutic for the human body, but it places a considerable strain on certain materials. Regular maintenance and the chemical cleaning agents used in healthcare facilities are equally demanding. The ceramic tiles therefore fulfil more than just an aesthetic function in this project. “When selecting materials, it was essential to take into account the high hygiene standards, intensive maintenance and the daily contact between the facility and the peat. As well as the design, a whole range of technical parameters were decisive,” note representatives of the spa. According to Jan Líkař, the designers also appreciated the breadth of the product range, the availability of the material and the manufacturer’s technical support: “We have been working with Lasselsberger for more than 25 years; expert technical consultations are available whenever needed. The standard range of the RAKO brand is so diverse that it allows for the creation of varied solutions even for demanding projects. Other advantages include short delivery times and the option to quickly reorder any missing materials.”

Where it flows, it heals

Třeboň peat is a type of peloid – a natural substance formed by geological processes which, after processing, is used for therapeutic treatments. Why is this thick, brownish-black, paste-like mixture so exceptional? It warms the body, moisturises the skin and boosts the immune system. It relieves pain, improves blood circulation in the tissues and aids regeneration. It warms the body evenly and cools down approximately eight times more slowly than water. Peat has been flowing into the Aurora facility ever since the spa house opened, via a special glass pipeline approximately three kilometres long. Newly extracted peat is referred to as ‘virgin’ peat. After use, it is returned to nature, where it takes approximately 70 years to regenerate. According to estimates, the reserves in the Třeboň deposits are sufficient to last for several hundred years. “When selecting materials for the current refurbishment (as this is a healthcare facility), it was also necessary to take into account the fact that chemical cleaning agents are used in this hygienically demanding environment. So it wasn’t just the design that played a role, but a whole host of technical parameters,” the spa experts point out.

From a medieval bathhouse to a modern spa
The tradition of spa treatment in Třeboň stretches far back into the past. The first surviving mention of a local bathhouse dates from 1379. Modern spa treatment in Třeboň began to develop in the second half of the 19th century. In 1882, the Berta spa house – named after the founder’s daughter – was completed, and it opened to the public the following year. Significant development took place in the second half of the 20th century, when the spas gradually transformed into year-round healthcare facilities. The Aurora Spa House was built according to the winning design by architects Boháč, Krtil, Kavka and Čerhovská. Construction on the northern bank of Svět Pond began in 1967 and was completed at the end of 1975. Architect David Vávra particularly praises the generous multi-level layout of the complex, the influence of late Brussels architecture, and the impressive spa colonnade, which, in his view, is reminiscent of modern Roman baths.

RAKO in Czech spas
Thanks to their properties, RAKO ceramic tiles are also used in other spa and wellness facilities. In addition to the Aurora and Berta spa houses in Třeboň, they can be found, for example, in the following projects: Hotel Thermal, Karlovy Vary; spa facilities in Jáchymov; in Mariánské Lázně; the Luhačovice spa – colonnade; Slovakian spas, etc.