October the 18th, 2026 – Varaždinske Toplice is known for its thermal water, but not everyone realises just how far back its popularity stretches, having healed people 2,000 years ago.
Spring thermal water has a beneficial effect on rheumatic ailments, the skin, relaxation… We know that today, but it was also known by the innovative Roman conquerors 2,000 years ago. Less than an hour’s drive from Zagreb lies a place whose healing warm water, with a temperature reaching 58 degrees, was used by the Romans, who built temples, pools and baths right there. Putni kofer writes that an entire complex dedicated to that healing water. Varaždinske Toplice, which is still popular today, is home to some fascinating archaeological heritage that has just received new confirmation of its value.
The Archaeological Zone of Varaždinske Toplice recently received the temporary status of a cultural asset, which, according to the explanation of the Ministry of Culture, it will hold until a decision is made establishing the status of a permanent cultural asset or for a maximum of six years.
“Thermal water began attracting the first human groups back during the Palaeolithic era, as evidenced by finds from the large tufa cave 5 Gradišće on the western side of Toplička gora, while finds from the Neolithic and Bronze Age tell us about the continuity of settlement in the wider area of today’s settlement. In the 3rd century BC, the Pannonian Iasi lived here, after whom the Romans named this place Aquae Iasae. The Roman settlement of Aquae Iasae was inhabited from the 1st to the 4th century, and at that time Toplice was a significant health, ritual, cultural and even economic centre of Upper Pannonia,” it is stated, among other things, in the explanation of the protection decision.
THE ROMANS BUILT TEMPLES, POOLS AND A LUXURIOUS BATH COMPLEX AROUND THE SPRING
The warm springs therefore attracted the population way back during prehistory. Over time, one of the important ancient spa centres on the territory of present-day Croatia arose around them. The thermal sulphurous water, which emerges to the surface at a temperature of as much as 58 degrees Celsius, was so highly valued that the Romans built an entire complex of public buildings around it. The spring is still active today: the water emerges at the same place and supplies the Special Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation Varaždinske Toplice. The phenomenon that attracted people several thousand years ago lives on today.
Today’s archaeological park is home to the impressive remains of an expansive Roman complex that developed from the 1st to the 4th century. Systematic research, which began back in 1953, has uncovered the remains of ancient buildings on an area of approximately 6,000 square metres. There were baths with pools, a forum surrounded by porticoes, temples dedicated to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, and a monumental pool that encompassed the spring itself. Parts of walls two to three metres high, floors, stone thresholds, frescoes and systems for the supply and drainage of water have also been preserved.
THE ORIGINAL ROMAN POOL IN WHICH THE WATER WAS COOLED BEFORE USE
Particularly fascinating is the original Roman pool measuring approximately 8 by 13.5 metres. It was built of large stone blocks, and water flowed from it through special channels towards the baths. The Romans also had to solve a very practical problem: the water that emerges at 58 degrees is too hot for direct bathing. The large pool helped cool it, while an elaborate system of channels enabled the controlled use of the precious spring.
17,000 COINS THAT THE ROMANS THREW FOR LUCK WERE FOUND AT THE SITE
For the Romans thermal water was not only a natural resource. They believed that the springs also had supernatural power, so the area around them was a place of worship of various deities, especially nymphs whom they associated with water and healing. During research at the site around 17,000 Roman coins were found that people from the 1st to the 4th century threw into the sacred spring as votive offerings. Numerous altars, reliefs, inscriptions and sculptures of deities were also found.
THE REMAINS OF THE ROMAN SETTLEMENT CAN TODAY BE VIEWED IN THE PARK AND IN THE MUSEUM
During its long history, Aquae Iasae was not spared wars and destruction. At the beginning of the 4th century the complex suffered during Gothic invasions, but its importance was so great that the Roman emperor Constantine the Great ordered its reconstruction. After the collapse of the ancient world many buildings disappeared under layers of earth, but the spring continued to be used. It is precisely the thermal water, or rather the deposition of tufa, that is responsible for the exceptional preservation of parts of the Roman complex.
Today, the remains of the former settlement can be viewed in the Archaeological Park Aquae Iasae, located in the town’s spa park. The park itself was landscaped as early as 1820, and its history is another reminder of the centuries-long connection of the town with thermal water. In addition to the archaeological site it is worth visiting the Local History Museum in the Old Town, where valuable finds from the Roman period are exhibited. In this way time for relaxation in Varaždinske Toplice can be combined with exploration and incredible historical stories.
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