INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL on Direct Application of Geothermal Energy

Under the auspice of the Division of Earth Sciences

GREEK THERMALISMOS Healing sources - Bath-places - SPA-tourism

Zisis Agelidis Geologist Dr. A. U. Th.

ABSTRACT the 5th century B.C. there are the common baths, public or private, for the proper This paper which tackles with “Ther- service of all the social classes. The malismo Hellenico” is an approach to the ancient Greeks’ belief, about the baths historical data, from the moment that was differentiated depending on the time hydrotherapy has started because of and the place. Their preferences for Herodotus’ very first observations and having cold or hot baths were not later on proved to be a healing process irrelevant to the time of the season and according to Hippocrates and his school. mainly to the prevailing morality. The cold Some concepts and definitions are to be bath was preferred in the arenas and the provided in order to explain the gymnasiums, the hot in the new public contemporary meaning of “Thermalismos” baths, which were called Valania. It’s both as a social need and as a wishful worth to observe that in the main hot bath hope for human health. Moreover, the there was also the steam - bath or natural and chemical properties of the “pyriatirion”, which caused perspiration. water are being mentioned, once they play According to the tradition, after the steam - a major role in the application of hyd- bath, there was the hot Ð bath and, usually rotherapy. Last but not least, the hydro- soon after, the cold bath. The general therapeutic applications of mineral water in spread of the use of bath, as well as the the thermalistic centers (spas) are being relation and actions of humans with the presented. water causes the spa Ð therapy to begin. Herodotus (484 Ð 410 B.C.) describes a HISTORICAL RETROSPECTION few water springs that had a beneficial The use of the natural mineral Ð hot influence on human organism and waters at the service of the human health suggests the healing spa, which according is undoubtedly a fact that originated in an- to the historiographer should last for 21 cient times. The ancient Greeks inherited days. Of course we must notice that the the “hydrophilia” by the Achaeans of the hot healing baths did not take place in the Homeric times. Greeks’ frequent contact Valanias but in the Asclepiads, also known with the water Ðwhich proved to be as the temples of Health. There Ðin the beneficial- led them to consider it a reli- Asclepiads- gathered everyone who gious symbol. wanted to get cured or relieved. Before From the 1500 B.C., the systematic each special cure, they were doing hot or use of the baths had already begun, cold baths under the supervision of priests having the belief that the “cleanness” and or doctors. In about 100 regions such particularly the sanitation of the body, institutions were established. As concerns all the citizens regardless their Ploutarchos and Pausanias witness, in social status. The great spread of the use these regions there were healing springs, of baths in Greece, during the ancient where patients were taking their bath. In times, established them, as a public affair time the spa therapy played a central role while previously it was a private affair. In not only in the personal life of every

- 226 - ancient Greek but also in the social life of takes care of his personal health and with Ancient Greece, too. The philosophy and pleasure experiments on healthy habits, the love of the Greeks for the spas were behaviors and ways of living. He is remarkable, since these springs were encouraged to adopt an active role, and offering the “divine gifts of health, welfare, not to be only a passive receiver of healing beauty and stamina”. methods, on the contrary he learns how to Unquestionably, the systematic know- take advantage and to develop his ledge of the hydrotherapeutic art, belongs individual skills in such ways so that he to Hippocrates (460 Ð 375 B.C.). Thus, the ‘the visitor’ can practice with knowledge spa, an autonomous sector of the healing and conscience his choices which concern process was developed and expanded by his own health and also to recognize the Hippocrates and his school, in the Aegean role and the responsibility for the region. Historical essays, buildings, works designing of the plan of his personal of art e. t. c., still existing in our days, physical and psychological health. represent the living testimony of a civi- The new concepts about the physi- lization with a philosophy and principles for ognomy, the position and the role of ther- the treatment of human health. malismos in our modern social reality, lead From that time on, the beliefs for the us in the philosophy and the practice of use of the therapeutic water in every the healing skill of Hippocrates. In his work historical period depended on the ”About winds, waters and places”, he dominating perceptions about the human describes in every detail the ways through being and were in accordance with the which the human health can be affected, organization of theirs societies. The from the environmental factors: the quality ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine Ð after- of the air, the water, the food, the morpho- Byzantine and Modern Greek as main logy of the residence, the habits of daily phases of the evolution of hydrotherapy, life e. t. c. The author himself underlines are being marked by the presence of the that the understanding of the environ- monuments “Thermae over thermae”. mental effects constitutes the essence of During their evolution one element re- doctors’ skill. mains unchanged. The spa is not only a This belief, which we could character- means of physical relief and healing, but rize as Ça study on the human ecologyÈ, also a mean of spiritual and psychic was laid aside, and thermalismos was welfare. The period of modern scientific caged mainly in a passive bath centric approach of the spa and of the “Therma- model. However, it is a fact that during the lismos” starts in 1830 on the island of last 20 years a lot of spas’ aspects are Kythnos. Therefore, the systematic recor- being redefined having as a base the ding and study of the geological, physic Ð Hippocrates’ ideas. chemical and healing characteristics of the The spas in Greece, in the environ- springs begins, and the era of the spa ment of mineral Ð hot, healing springs, tourism Ð Thermalismos starts. Nowadays, have been during the centuries places of we could say that the new tendencies and meeting, communication, healing, recrea- directions, which are related to the spas tion, entertainment, welfare and relaxing. and human health, are based to the They have hosted generations of people. triptych “Thermalismos Ð Ecology Ð Since the time when, the visitors during Culture”. their entrance in the Baths of Hypaty, were In the modern thermalistic centers, a reading on marble inscription, until our wide acceptance of the meaning of healing times when the scientist study, record, process is being adopted, not only as a evaluate and plan future actions and preventive method or as revitalizing one activities about thermalismos. but also as a way, which is founded on a strategy of promotion of the human health. CONCEPTS, DEFINITIONS, This effort for new orientations is believed CHARACTERISTICS to offer to the visitor the role of the protagonist for the sake of his own Etymologically speaking, despite the personal health. In an alternate, healthy, fact that the term thermalismos looks like natural, functional and beautiful environ- inaccurate or vague, it is scientifically, ment, which is socially and historically unanimously, accepted that it covers a wealthy, harmonious and safe, the visitor wide field of healing processes, which are

- 227 - being conducted with the use of natural we meet in the region of Amarados in spas. Thermalismos as a concept refers to Ioannina. There are emission of gases in the sum of practices, which are related, many cold, low temperature, hot and with the description of the thermalistic overheated sources. It is mainly about CO2 treatment and it’s applications on humans and H2S. as a way of prevention, cure, revitalization c. Mineral Ð hot Ð healing waters: are the and also the personal and social waters which because of their physical or evaluation of the thermalistic results. As a chemical properties have healing thermalistic treatment we define the totality characteristics after an external or internal of the actions and relations with the use which is proved in a scientific way or mineral-hot healing water, the clay, the with the practical experience of the past. steam and the environment which esta- We could say that Natural Mineral Waters blish for a specific duration and in a spe- are the waters that have a normal hydro- cific place (thermalistic center) a particular therapeutic quality; moreover mineral model of living. When using the term waters are the natural solutions whose “healing (thermalistic) natural recourses”, formation under geological circumstances we mean all the terrestrial natural ma- presents in the spring a physic-chemical terials which in their authentic state pre- dynamism in process that is responsible sent or even prove, through the practical for a large part of their therapeutic nature. experience of the past or the contem- Apart from the above definitions, we ought porary scientific experience, the ability to to clarify that mineral waters are the ones, exercise specific biological actions, which which contain diluted solid salts in are being utilized in the therapy. compositions grater than 1gr/kg or even The natural therapeutic resources can when they contain T. D. S. < 1gr/kg if the be classified into three main categories: composition of one or more of the a. Solid, which are of framboidal texture following elements is: (inorganic, organic and mixed). Never- Fe>10mg/kg, As>0,7gr/kg, theless, we ought to clarify that in the na- J>1mg/kg, S>1mg/kg, ture, the therapeutic clay that can be used, CO>250mg/kg, Rn>18nci/l it is only the clay of hot or cold mineral Thus, when the above presuppositions springs. This kind of clay is limited in exist and at the same time the water, quantity. In our country we can find it in which according to the practical expe- the centers clay-therapeutic treatment, rience of the past or the scientific docu- Krinides and Pikrolimni. In the past the mentation (physic Ð medical medicine), mud baths of Aidipsos, Lagadas, Plakas of exercises beneficial effect on the human Limnos and Killini were equally well organism when it is used externally or known. Therefore in order to acquire internally, can be recognized as “healing mature healing clay, we imitate nature and or thermalistic” natural resource. As it was we compound it artificially. Applying the difficult to find a definition, which would procedure of maturity the common clay contain the properties, the characteristics acquires those properties that make it a and the applications, it is intended to confirmed therapeutic means. We would examine on the one hand the purpose, say that the therapeutic clay is: “a mixture which they serve and on the other hand overheating or overheated which comes through which characteristics of these from an analogical, protogenic blend or waters this purpose is achieved. We would more often a deuterogenic, of a solid say that the therapeutic nature which is component mainly argillaceous mixed with specified in the application of a treatment natural hot water and it is used in the and action program, which is defined by thermalistic centers as a means of the following factors: therapeutic treatment. 1. Thermal (Water temperature) b. Gassy: caverns filled with steam, 2. Chemical (Minerality, elements Ð emissions of gasses, and emissions of minor-elements) steam, dry caverns. In Greece caverns 3. Mechanical (Pressure) filled with steam, can be found on the 4. Radioactivity island of Nisyros “Artificial Roman”, on the 5. Electrical characteristics of the island of Ikaria “Cavern source”, in the metallic elements (electrolytes) region of Kaiafas and in Kilkis. Emisions of The combined action of all the above steam with the use of inhaling Ð therapy factors gives to the mineral water its

- 228 - healing nature. Therefore in order to have Suitable geological and tectonic a full physic-chemical identity it is conditions in various regions across our necessary to explore the followings: country have permitted the creation of a i. Origin number of warm and cold mineral springs. ii. Temperature The two following characteristics of iii. Minerality the springs, the water temperature and the iv. Cryoscopic point minerality, can be defined, the former in v. Chemical elements of quantity relation to the temperature of the water at character the point of spout, when this (the vi. Chemical elements (trace elements) of temperature) is greater than the average quality character annual temperature of the environment of vii. Radioactivity the spring and the latter in relation to the viii. Supply quantity of chemical elements or even the sum of the solid remain in 180o C. Having examined the above factors, it is The rise of the water temperature is high time for us to classify the Greek caused by: mineral sources (either warm or cold): I. The geothermal gradient G.G. (1oC every 33m of depth - Fig. 1- HOT AND COLD MINERAL SPRINGS II. The presence of a thermal focus Ð Fig. 2 Ð

Figure 1

Figure 2

In the first case the water gets warmer In this category a number of warm because of its deep circulation in the solid springs belong to this category, such as crust, where the geothermal gradient the ones of Nigrita, Loutraki in the region causes the water temperature to rise. of Pella, Smokovo, Thermopiles, Kaiafa, Kilini, Amarantos (vapors), Hypate, Thermi

- 229 - in the region Thessaloniki, Kavasila in the • Semiwarm: when we have 30oC < T < region of Konitsa e. t. c. 40o C In the second case during it’s descent • Overheated: when T > 40oC and before it reaches in greater depth the B. Chemical composition: Out of a water gets warmer with the help of the variety of classifications the most objective thermal focus, which exists, in depth and and applicable is the chemical one. in the same region. In addition the main characteristic of A great number of springs belong to kind of a mineral water based on it’s this case such as the springs of Ikaria, suitability as drinkable. Therefore, Greek Milos, Traianoupolis in the region of Evros, mineral waters are divided into two major Nisiros, Lesvos (Polihnitos, Thermi, categories. Molivos, Lisvori, Argenos, Palaiohori), 1) Mineral waters meeting the standards Lemnos, Samothrace, Aidipsos, Kamena of drinkability are or could be charac- Vourla, Kythnos, Methana, Kos, terized as natural mineral waters (N. M. Eleutheron, Thermon, Paranesti e. t. c. W.) according to the legislation (Presi- The hot waters always have an dential Decree 433/9-11-83). The most upward movement; on the contrary the known in relation to their major chemical cold waters have a downward movement. elements and independently to their tem- The waters coming from the rainfalls, perature are: Agiassos on the Island of snowfalls or the seawater descent to Lesvos (Mg ++), Lagadas (F), Ehinos in the deeper horizons, where they get warmer. region Xanthi (HCO- ), Agistro in the The rise of the geothermal liquids on the 3 region of Serres (F-), Souroti (Ca ++, Mg++, surface, presupposes the presence of HCO- , CO , Cl-), Ksino Nero in the region faults in the area of the springs, which 3 2 of Florina (Ca++, HCO- , Mg++, CO ), function as natural tubes of the upward 3 2 Loutraki in the region of Corinth (Mg++), movement. The reasons that cause this Sidirokastro (HCO- , Na+, F-), Karitsa in the motion and finally the presence of the 3 region of Larisa (Ca++, Mg++, HCO- , Fe, spring on the surface, it’s the hydrostatic 3 CO ), Agrapidia in the region of Florina (F) pressure, the dilatation (increase of its 2 e. t. c. volume) of the water and the effect of the 2) Non-drinkable mineral waters, which gaseous phase. are used in hydrotherapy or the production Finally, it is worth mentioning that in of energy. We must also take into account our country there natural hot springs which that the Presidential Decree 433, provides are famous for their great supply, a with the definition, defines the chemism phenomenon which is considered rare (chemical composition), the microbio- worldwide. Such springs are the ones of logical composition and contains the regu- Thermopiles (600 Ð 1000m3/h), Loutraki in lations, which are related to the standards the region of Pella 520 m3/h, Lefkada, of bottling, trade and hygiene. Ikaria 150 m3/h, Eleutheri in the region of C. Minerality: Mineral waters can be Kavala 120 m3/h, as well as the springs of classified into two broad categories, de- Loutrki Ð Perahora, Kaiafas, Methana, pending on the Solid Remain (S.R.) in Kavasila in the region of Konitsa e. t. c. 180o C, thus we have: • Low-mineral waters, when they have CLASSIFICATION OF THE MINERAL S.R. in 180oC less than 1gr/l SPRINGS • Mineral waters which they have S.R. The classification of the hot and the more than 1gr/l cold mineral springs is conducted based D. Molecular composition: mineral on various criteria, in order for us to have waters according to their molecular a clear picture of their characteristics. composition and compared the cryoscopic o The criteria are: point of blood (0-56 C) are characterized A. Temperature: In the case where the as hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic. water is used for therapeutic purposes, the E. Radioactivity: usually, mineral waters best classification is actually the following: contain a greater composition of radio- • Cold: when the temperature (T) is less active elements than common waters do. than 20o C Depending on their radioactivity are • Semicold: when we have 20o C < T < characterized as low-radioactive (46,6 Ð 30oC 266,6 Bq/l), medium-radioactive (266,6 Ð

- 230 - 1333 Bq/l) and highly-radioactive when the radioactive waters also exist in the spring percentage is greater than 1333 Bq/l. of the Therma Loutra in the region of Compositions of Rn 222, which are the Loutraki Ð Perahora, in the springs of highest in the world exist in the springs of Kamena Vourla and in some springs in the Thermae on the Island of Ikaria. Highly region of Aidipsos.

F. Chemical elements that define the elements in certain quantities offers a quantity and the quality character of specific character to the identity of this the water: this classification is being water. These elements are: K, Li, Sr, Ba, conducted based on the great quantity of Br, F, J, As, S, Fe, e. t. c. Taking under elements, which are contained in the consideration the criteria which have been water. The composition of an element, described, the characteristic identity of the which is larger than 20%(in meq %) in the waters of a spring arises: For instance the sum of the anions or cations, is considered water of the spring of Taianoupolis in the a great quantity. The presence of trace region of Evros is characterized as hyper-

- 231 - heated (52oC), mineral (Cl-Na-K-B-Sr-Br- G. Concentration of salts: Particularly J-Li-Hs), hyper-tonic, low-radioactive, the one of the NaCl. mineral water.

I. If the water’s concentration in NaCl is Artemis on the island of Leukada, Thermi larger than 30gr/l, then the mineral water’s on the island of Lesvos, Kithnos, Methana, composition is somewhat similar to that of Nisiros, Samothrace. Obviously the zone the seawater. Such sprigs are: Agia of the supply of these springs is the sea Paraskevi in the region of Chalkidiki, Agios (sourcing of the sea) Fokas on the island of Kos, Aidipsos, II. Mineral waters whose concentration in Ikaria-springs of Apollo, in the cavern of NaCl reaches the 50% of the totality of the

- 232 - dissolved salts, but with a sum of dissol- order to be in the service of human health, ved salts which is not more than 15gr/l. the prospects of the application of hydro- Such springs are: Admanas on the island therapy cover a wide range of needs of the of Milos, Geras on the island of Mitilini, human organism such as the confrontation Eleutheres in the region of Kavala, Ther- of pathological states, the prevention and mopiles, Kamena Vourla, Killini, Lisvori in remedy. The type of cure that is to say, the the region of Lesvos, Polihnitos in the way, the duration and the frequency define region Lesvos, Preveza, Traianoupoli, Ipati as well its results. e. t. c. The origin of the water of these springs is characterized as ‘Mixed’. More Ways of application: specifically the water of these springs 1. Hydrotherapy: originates from the compination of the 2. a) SEAWATER THERAPY seawater and the water coming from b) HEALING MINERAL WATER precipitations. THERAPY III. The carbonated Ð acid carbonated c) HYDROTHERAPY WITH MINERAL mineral waters whose concentration in HEALING WATER: salts is less than 2 gr/l, without taking into i) EXTERNAL HYDROTHERAPY (Full account the concentration of NaCl. Such baths, on the spot showers, full hydro- waters exist in: Amoudaras in the regipon massage, hydro-kinesitherapy, semi- of Kastoria, Ehinos in the region of baths) Ksanthi, Lagadas in the region of ii) INTERNAL HYDROTHERAPY (Drink- Thessaloniki, Sidirokastro in the region of ing mineral water therapy, inhaling the Serres, Smokovos in the region of mineral water steams, washing of the Karditsa, Trifos in the region of nasal and oral cavities, and of the Aitoloakarnania, Nigrita in the region of vagina) Serres, Loutraki in the region of Pella, 2. Clay-therapy: a) FULL Kivotos in Grevena, Krinides in the region b) PARTIAL (Compresses) of Kavala. Full baths: these baths are classified according to the water temperature and THERMALISTIC CENTER (SPA) are realized with a full or partial A thermalistic center which meets the submerging of the body in a private or a contemporary social needs as well as the common bath. The program lasts for 15 to visitors’ wishes ought to offer a number of 20 days and the duration of each characteristics-data, for instance: certified treatment is 20 minutes. The Full baths mineral water, installations properly cons- are useful to people who suffer from tructed for the physical and psychological arthropathy, dermatitis and problems in treatment, parks (areas covered with ve- the vascular system. getation), areas and buildings for enter- Hydro-Massages: they are based on the tainment, recreation, offering of a variety application of water pressurized in 1.5 of services e. t. c. atm, on a body, which is already in the The outdoors thermalistic system must water. This method applies on meta-trau- include all the qualitative characteristics of matic cure, fractures, injuries, arthropathy, the area (history, culture), ecological ele- backache, spondylo-arthritis. ments (nature and landscape), social Hydrokinesitherapy: is the combination elements (meetings, shows, artistic perfor- of bath-therapy and kinesitherapy in the mances). Center of all the activities must water. A useful method, which is applied to be the installations of hydrotherapy as well those who suffer from rheumatism and as the ways of it’s (hydrotherapy) applica- injuries in their muscles and bones. tion. Drinking mineral water therapy: is a cure which is achieved through the drink- HYDROTHERAPY AND WAYS OF ing of a certain quantity and quality of APPLICATION mineral water. It is used for the cure of the upper part of the peptic system the liver Hydrotherapy is an autonomous heal- complaint therapy. ing sector, which depends on and at the Inhaling steams from mineral water same time utilizes the natural and therapy: the only suitable type of chemical properties of mineral waters in hydrotherapy in order to cure respiratory

- 233 - diseases. The techniques applied during Bibliography this method also define the treatment. iP.C. Federici: Sintesi di idrologia medica. Parma 1982 On the map “Centers of Thermalismos” Wagner G.: The Sra exploitation nov. 1997 the above uses of the spas are being Valls J.P.: Sustainable Tourism and shown. Economy, Territory and Heritage, Revue de Tourism, 1997.

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