Varaždinske Toplice is located on the northeastern edge of Croatia Zagorje, where man has lived since antiquity. The Varaždinske Toplice beach and health resort is over 2000 years old. The first inhabitants who in the 2nd and 3rd century BC. living in this area were the Pannonians, an ethnic group belonging to the Illyrians of the Jasa tribe.
This tribe worshiped deities who represented the protectors of water and health. Thus, the main reason for the settlement of this area was the natural source of thermal sulfur water, located on the upper terrace of the Toplica hill, in today's city park.
The reign of the Roman emperor Constantine marked the beginning of the long history of Varaždinske Toplice as a bathing and health resort when the Romans gave the settlement the first known name Aqua Iasae. During that period, members of Roman legions, including high-ranking officers and civilian officials, were treated in Varaždinske Toplice. Sulfur water, which has been springing in spas since ancient times, had healing properties for legionnaires. It is known that this water has anti-inflammatory effects, reduces pain, increases circulation and has a positive effect on metabolism.
The first known record of the Croatian name of today's Varaždinske Toplice is in the document of King Bela III. from 1181, by which the king confirms the grant of the Croatian ban Aleksij to the Zagreb Kaptol. Thus, sometime at the beginning of the 12th century, the Toplica estate (TOPLISSA) became the property of the Zagreb Kaptol, which managed Toplice until 1945. During that time, the predominant part of the bathing or health fund of Varaždinske Toplice was built.
In order to protect his property, Kaptol built a fortress next to the parish church in 1376. During the 16th century at the time of the Turkish threat, this fort was extended and fortified with towers, a moat (which was filled with water from a thermal water source) and a chain bridge. After the liberation of Slavonia and the cessation of Turkish invasions, in 1695, this fortress was converted into a Baroque castle which was later turned into the first bathing hotel. In the 17th century, Toplice was twice destroyed by fire, and in addition to the Parish Church of St. Martin, Kaštela and the Chapel of St. Spirit preserved only a few old houses.
In 1762, the parish church underwent a baroque renovation, and in 1779, after a fire, Kaptol built a new stone bath called "Constantine's Bath". The Golden Austrian period was a modern period of tourism for the privileged class that nurtures socio-cultural needs, fashion, dance, concerts, sports recreation, reading and expresses the need for rest and recovery using the healing properties of thermo-mineral water.
From 1838, a permanent medical service was introduced in Varaždinske Toplice, until the beginning of the First World War in 1914, when the Military Hospital moved into Konstantin's home. During the Second World War, the spa and health facilities were destroyed. The end of the Second World War brought a change in the social system, medical services expanded, and in 1963 a permanent hospital activity began with the establishment of the Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases and Rehabilitation. Three years later, Hydrotherapy was built, in 1973 the Terme hotel, while in 1981 the Minerva hotel was completed as the Center for Active Vacation Medicine. During its history, Varaždinske Toplice was known as a quality thermal spa and they still have that status today.
The legend of the three young girls!
Tomislav Đurić in "Legends of the Croatian Regiment" mentions the story of "three young people", ie three sisters of noble birth, who were famous for their wealth and beauty. These Toplica beauties were above all famous for their kindness and affection for the Toplica people, so they got the name of the Toplica nymph.
But the sisters Božica, Margareta and Simona, who according to tradition lived in the Toplica castle, did not marry, not because of the arrogance or underestimation of the Toplica young men, but because their possible suitors, "belly for bread", were forced to go to other places , where they eventually married the girls there.
So they, unmarried, reached old age, so they decided to leave their rich home as a gift to the Church. Their wish was for someone to remain in their home even after their death, who would continue their good deeds towards the Toplica regiment.
Folklore about the "three nymphs of Toplica" has been preserved to this day, and one of its sources is a relief plate from the 2nd century, which was found in Varaždinske Toplice and which shows three naiads, or spring nymphs.
The legend of the Baroque lady!
During the 18th century, open-air balls and concerts were held in Varaždinske toplice. The history of that time and today radiates and is almost felt in the very scents of the city, along the old streets and historic sites. This is how many stories and legends about this ancient city were created, and one of them is the forgotten legend about the baroque lady.
According to legend, in the street and promenade of the former location of the magnificent hotel Josipova Kupelj, one of the most elite in the then empire of Austro-Hungary,people saw a lady who did not fit in at all with the time in which the people of Toplica lived at the time.
Indescribable beauties, she would appear in her baroque dress on the park that led to the famous spa park where dance events were organized and which at that time contained, among many other facilities, music pavilions.
Kako je zanimljiva istorija Varaždinskih toplica!