History
On the origin of the spa, folk legend says the mineral springs were discovered a long time ago by a shepherd who soothed his "aching" feet while bathing in the strangely and unusually pungent water from the springs. Hearsay and rumours about the healing effect of the springs spread rapidly and so people from far and wide started to seek them out.
The origin of the name Smrdáky is interesting. Based on historic chronicles, at the time the settlement was called Nová Ves (meaning New Village in Slovak), or Villa Nova, but this was changed to its current name thanks to the stinky mineral springs. When peasants and farmers from the various towns and villages would congregate for fairs or markets, those who were from Nová Ves were nicknamed "Smrdáci", meaning "Stinkers". This name became so common that it replaced the former name of the settlement.
The first written reference on the spa place in Smrdáky can be found in the town plan from 1617, which was issued by the squire at the time, Majtény - Novák. Slovak polyhistorian Matthias Bel in his well-known work Notitia Hungariae Novae Historicogeographia (Historical and geographical knowledge of the Kingdom of Hungary) from 1740 recalls the spa hamlet Smrdáky, and for the first time describes the using of hydrogen sulphide water here for healing therapeutic purposes. In 1763 the official physician Ján M. Gottmann prepared an analysis of Smrdáky´s waters, in which he commented and remarked that in future spas could be set up in the vicinity of these valuable waters.
Also highly significant is the medical dissertation of chief physician Jozef Callas Nagy about Spa Smrdáky (Thermarum Büdösköensium, 1840), considered and assessed at Vienna University. In addition to a chemical analysis of the waters made by Nitra´s pharmacist František Lang Adolf, it includes also a list of indications that had been successfully treated here already before the establishment of the spa institution. Foremost it mentions various skin diseases, like eczema, herpes, ringworm and the like.
The first bathhouse in Smrdáky was built in 1832 - 1833 by the owner of the lands around the springs, Nitra´s deputy city mayor Jozef Vietoris. This period is also dated and acknowledged as the modern history of spas.
Later in 1839, also by courtesy and thanks to the owner J. Vietoris, an impressive grand manor house was built for his family and valued guests. This building has served to the present day thanks also to several reconstructions. The manor house with its classical portal became the symbol of the spa.
Jozef Vietoris was responsible also for the creation of a pleasant and agreeable spa environment. When he drained the marshland and swamps, he gained space for the park, where he planted rare trees. Nowadays the Spa Park covers 16 hectares and is a favourite relaxation place for spa guests.
The years 1935 – 1938 were the most successful for the spas. At that time the spa facilities accommodated around 180 patients and almost the same number were accommodated in the village. What´s more, it also welcomed patients on an out-patient basis from all around and so at the peak of the spa season around 400 therapeutic baths a day were registered at the spa.
In 1950 a borehole captured the precious valuable mineral water source, thereby ensuring access to the healing waters with well-known composition. In 1953 a bore to a depth of 301 metres revealed the primary source of hydrogen sulphide mineral water, and in 1957 also a much more abundant and yielding spring. Its boasts the highest content of active diatomic sulphur of all well-known European hydrogen sulphide waters to date.
