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History of Geothermal Spas in Iceland

jún. 12, 2020

History of Geothermal Spas in Iceland 


Did you know that bathing in geothermal water is an Icelandic tradition that dates back to the twelfth century and the actual settlement of Iceland? Flashforward to present day, and one of the main appeals for travellers coming to Iceland is still the wonder of bathing in geothermal water.

Offering slightly more comfort than the primitive pools of the middle age, today’s geothermal spas in Iceland have made way for luxury experiences embedded in raw Icelandic nature. 

Continue reading to find out how the geothermal spa in Iceland became what it is today.

What is a geothermal pool/spa?

I bet you are familiar with what a pool and spa is, so what you really are asking is; what does geothermal mean? The word “geothermal” has its origin in the greek language and consists of geo meaning earth, and thermos meaning hot. 

Thus, when speaking of geothermal pools, what we essentially mean is a pool heated with energy from the earth. 
How is geothermal energy extracted?

Geothermal energy is found in reservoirs of hot water under the ground in earth’s crust. These water accumulations are heated by the high temperatures within earth and can be tapped into by drilling, alternatively, the water can rise naturally to the surface of earth in what we call hot springs. The hot water or steam can be exploited for heating or cooling purposes, or to generate electricity. 
Why is geothermal water used for spas? 

As heated water is able to hold more dissolved solids than cold water, the water found in hot springs is usually also high in mineral content. Bathing in mineral-rich water is believed to have a number of health benefits, which makes areas in close proximity to hot springs attractive locations for geothermal spa facilities.

Why does Iceland have so many geothermal pools and spas?

It cannot have escaped anybody’s attention that Iceland is situated over a fissure between tectonic plates; more specifically - on top of the Eurasian and North American plates. This geological location provides an advantage, as geothermal energy exploitation is more or less limited to areas near rifts in tectonic plates. 

Geothermal energy is preferred not only due to being more sustainable and environmentally friendly, but also because of being superior in terms of cost-efficiency compared to other energy sources. 

The cost-efficiency of geothermal energy is essentially what makes it possible to have so many pools and spas in Iceland. In some cases the excess water from a geothermal power plant can be used at spas, in other cases water can be taken directly from a nearby hot spring, e.g. Krauma utilises Deildartunguhver hot spring (read more about Krauma geothermal spa here). 


And yes - it is a given that the appeal with cozying up in a warm pool grows as you start to understand that Iceland a larger part of the year is forced into darkness and questionable weather.

Hot spring bathing through the ages

One of the oldest and most famous man-made hot tubs in Iceland can be found in Reykholt and is fed by hot spring Skrifla. It belonged to renowned historian, poet, and politician Snorri Sturluson who moved there in the 13th century. Snorralaug, as the tub is called, was first mentioned in “Landnáma” or the book of settlement, in which written evidence suggests that it was taken into use already in the 10th century. 

Hot springs have however been used for bathing even earlier than that in places where geothermal water in suitable temperatures have collected naturally. 
Despite the early history of bathing, swimming has not always been a common skill among Icelanders. Many fishermen of the old days drowned after capsizing, sometimes with shore in sight, owing to the lack of swimming skills. With these harsh realisations, swimming became a desired skill among Icelanders. People started to learn swimming in water-filled ditches, where women used to do laundry.

A definite turning point occurred when a drill that was imported to help Icelanders in their search for gold, after failed attempts instead was used for another purpose - to extract geothermal resources. With consequent unlimited access to hot water, and as swimming became a mandatory part of education in 1943 - pools started popping up everywhere and people actually learned how to swim. 
Today every town or neighbourhood has their own public swimming pool, adding up to a total of over 120 public pools in Iceland. These public swimming pools are a place for relaxation and socialisation for the Icelandic people; this is where families and friends meet up after a long day to sit back and discuss anything and everything.

The birth of geothermal spas in Iceland 

At some stage, bathers started to realise the healing properties of geothermal water. Sufferers of different skin conditions noticed that the mineral-rich water relieved their symptoms and people from all over the world started traveling to Iceland to cure their illnesses. 

The business opportunities were obvious and in later years geothermal spa facilities have popped up in every corner of Iceland; much appreciated by locals as well as tourists. The old veterans Secret Lagoon, recognised as the oldest pool in Iceland, and Blue Lagoon, created in its first form in 1987, were in 2004 accompanied by Mývatn Nature Baths, Krauma in 2017, GeoSea in 2018 and finally Vök Baths in 2019, to mention a few. 

Why visit a geothermal spa while in Iceland?

The geothermal spa is today something of a trademark for Iceland. Bathing in geothermal pools is part of the Icelandic heritage, tradition and culture. The geothermal resources provide affordable mineral-rich water, making it ideal for spas facilities, meanwhile the mild climate lends it well to soaking in a warm hot tub. 

In other words - geothermal spas fit right into the Icelandic experience and you should definitely try it out.
Iceland is home to many incredible spa facilities where you can take a moment to recharge on your adventure. We have put together the ultimate guide to Iceland’s geothermal spas for you here.
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