Spa Things to Do

Just a few metres from la Sauveni?re you will find la Fontaine de Groesbeeck. This spring bears the name of Baron de Groesbeeck, because he had a small niche built in the wall bearing his coat of arms (1651). The water has diuretic properties.
General Area Or Directions
The Groesbeeck, Sauveniére, de la Reine springs and the monument a la Reconnaisance are close together.
Go up the route de la Sauvenière away from the citycentre untill the Route des Fontaines.
The Groesbeeck and Sauvenière are to the left over the crossing. Source de la Reine is found to your right across the route des fontaines. And the monument a la Reconnaisance is to your left before the crossing.

The Source de la Reine (Queens Spring) gives the water that is used in the baths. It contains little salt and is known for its diuretic effect. It also eliminates toxines from the body.
But the most famous for its bottled version Spa Reine.

The Source de la Reine is not easily found it is located in the woods, a few hundred meters from the road. A nice path across little streams will bring you there. Start at the parking spot at the beginning of the Route des Fontaines just of the route de la Sauvenière.
But although it is a nice walk the building, which was closed during our visit, is not very special. And maybe not even worth the effort. Better visit the source de la Sauvenière and Groesbeek at the other side of the road.

In the years 1862-1868 the mayor of Spa Joseph Servais revolutionised the world of health resorts by ordering the building of a new bathhouse by architect Suys.

Today the building is used for expostions.

At the outside of the building of the Pouhon Grand Pierre you can find this fountain. It is a hommage to the liberators of the United States Army, who liberated Spa on 10 september 1944. To end the horrors of the second world war.

Walk up to hill close to Spa to enjoy the view from the Carriere Pirosson, at an altitude of 310m. The hill is located at the north-east of Spa and offers a great view. It is only 15 minutes from the city centre, and the climb is not very hard. The opening picture of our Spa page is also made from this viewpoint.

In 1559 Limborgh writes about the sources in Spa and he also mentions the Barisart.
The water here is very rich in minerals and is used to make the bubbly Spa water (Spa red). Naturally occurring carbondioxide (C02) is 6,4 - 8.0 g/l.
Untill 1850 the well was not exploited. It then was collected to use. It became a places where famous singers came to drink.

The Source Géronstère is situated 440 meters above sealevel. The water from this well is rich in sulfur and therefor recommended for disseases of the respiratory system. It was also claimed the water could cure some bile problems. Dr de Rye was the first one to do research on the water. In 1651 the count of Burgsdorff made a pavillion and an inn here. Which was restored in 1979 by the tourismcouncil of Spa. In 1717 Tsaar Peter the Great was here for treatment.

At the other side of the road, in the woods is a monument placed by the children of the duchess of Orleans. Among these children was also a future king of France ( Louis-Philippe). They also made a walk in the area called "La promenade de la Duchesse d'Orl?ans". It starts at the monument. Which is not the original, because that was destroyed by the Jacobins.