Pedras Salgadas Thermal Park

Category: Nature > Park

District: Vila Real > Vila Pouca de Aguiar > Pedras Salgadas > Bairro da Padeira

Location

The Pedras Salgadas Thermal Park is located in the locality of Pedras Salgadas, within the municipality of Vila Pouca de Aguiar, in northern Portugal. Specifically, the park is situated in the area known as Bairro da Padeira. This area is distinguished by its unusual natural beauty and the absence of any pollution, established in an environment that rises to an altitude of approximately 580 meters above sea level. The park extends over a vast area of 20 hectares, offering about eight kilometers of paths to explore.

Historical Legacy and Prestige

Pedras Salgadas boasts a name associated with a long history of distinction. Once a favored destination of Portuguese royalty, the thermal park carries a legacy of prestige. Its international fame began in 1873 with an award for its waters at the Vienna International Exposition. This recognition spurred the creation of a company for the exploitation of the springs, culminating in the inauguration of the first Pedras Salgadas Thermal Baths in 1879, a milestone that consolidated its reputation.

The Singularity of Thermal Waters

The essence of the Pedras Salgadas Thermal Park lies in its Natural Mineral Water, which springs from four distinct sources. This water is universally recognized for its particular therapeutic properties, proven over decades by the scientific community. Its composition is gaso-carbonic, bicarbonate, and sodic, classifying it as hypersaline. It emerges at a temperature of 17ºC and has a pH of 6.4. Ingesting this water is a central element of the experience for those seeking the local thermal benefits.

Architecture and Natural Setting

In the Pedras Salgadas Thermal Park, architecture and nature harmonize remarkably. The historic buildings are carefully preserved, dialoguing with contemporary interventions that reflect an ecological sensitivity. The renovation project for the historic Thermal Spa building was signed by architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, an international figure in Portuguese architecture, who restored the space to its original charisma and endowed it with exemplary modernity. Strolling along the park's impressive main avenue allows visitors to immerse themselves in an environment where the richness of history meets the beauty of the natural landscape, inviting rest and contemplation.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt