{"id":59137,"date":"2026-02-20T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/a-healing-pleasure-from-ancient-rome-to-today-kutahya-thermal-springs\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T11:02:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T08:02:41","slug":"kutahya-thermal-springs-tourism-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/en\/kutahya-thermal-springs-tourism-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A healing pleasure from Ancient Rome to today: K\u00fctahya thermal springs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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From Ancient Rome to the present day: K\u00fctahya\u2019s thermal springs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The thermal springs in and around K\u00fctahya have drawn those seeking healing for thousands of years. These hot springs, used since the era of Ancient Rome, have retained their importance through the Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. The history of the Yoncal\u0131 Thermal Springs, in particular, stretches back to the Roman Empire. According to legend, the baths in Yoncal\u0131 were used during times of war to treat soldiers\u2019 wounds and illnesses. In the era of the Anatolian Seljuk State, the discovery of Yoncal\u0131\u2019s thermal waters is remembered in the legendary story of G\u00fcl\u00fcmser Hatun. When Sultan Alaaddin Keykubat I\u2019s ailing daughter found healing in these waters, he ordered a bathhouse and a mosque to be built in the area in 1233.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the Ottoman period, K\u00fctahya\u2019s thermal springs became widely known among the public as centers of healing and social gathering. The renowned traveler Evliya \u00c7elebi, originally from K\u00fctahya, visited the Eynal Thermal Springs near Simav in the 17th century and wrote of them, saying, \u201cthere is nothing like this in the world,\u201d describing seven separate healing baths. According to Evliya \u00c7elebi, each bath offered relief for a different ailment, and every July people would flock to these springs to find healing and enjoy themselves. During the Republican era, K\u00fctahya\u2019s thermal springs retained their significance and continued to serve health tourism, supported by modern facilities. Investments such as the 200-bed Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital, opened in Yoncal\u0131 in 1991, institutionalized the therapeutic use of the springs. Today, K\u00fctahya sustains this long-standing healing tradition by combining its thermal heritage with contemporary facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Main Thermal Spring Centers in K\u00fctahya<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The word \u201ckapl\u0131ca\u201d is derived from the Turkish term \u201ckapl\u0131 (covered) \u0131l\u0131ca (spring).\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With its numerous thermal springs, K\u00fctahya is a thermal haven. The main spa centers, each distinguished by their unique mineral compositions and therapeutic qualities, are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yoncal\u0131 Thermal Springs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located 16 kilometers west of K\u00fctahya\u2019s city center, Yoncal\u0131\u2019s waters are around 40\u00b0C. Visitors may benefit from the treatment of calcification, joint rheumatism, inflammatory joint diseases, soft-tissue rheumatism, neurological disorders, trauma, and sports injuries. With healing properties since the Ottoman era, Yoncal\u0131 is today preferred for both treatment and relaxation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Il\u0131ca Thermal Springs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located north of K\u00fctahya and set among pine forests, the waters of Il\u0131ca range from 25 to 43\u00b0C. The mineral-rich waters are used as a complementary treatment for rheumatism, chronic lower back pain, joint and soft tissue disorders, orthopedic conditions, and post-neurosurgical rehabilitation. Containing calcium and fluoride, these waters are also known to support bone health in older adults, particularly in cases of osteoporosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simav Thermal Springs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In southwestern K\u00fctahya, 4 kilometers from the center of Simav, the thermal waters at Eynal reach 70-80\u00b0C. These high-temperature waters provide therapeutic treatment for rheumatism, chronic lower back pain, joint and muscle disorders, post-orthopedic surgery rehabilitation, nervous system conditions, and sports injuries. Praised in Evliya \u00c7elebi\u2019s \u201cSeyahatname,\u201d Eynal became renowned for the words, \u201cI have traveled and seen many thermal springs in the world, yet I have not seen one like this.\u201d Today, with its quiet and peaceful setting, Eynal remains an important destination for health tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emet and Dereli Thermal Springs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located west of K\u00fctahya in G\u00fcnl\u00fcce Village along the Emet Tav\u015fanl\u0131 road, Dereli Thermal Spring has water temperatures of 38 to 40\u00b0C. These thermal waters are said to benefit joint rheumatism, osteoporosis, muscle inflammation and pain, neurological disorders, sports injuries, and certain mobility impairments. The Emet Thermal Springs in the district center, with water temperatures of 43 to 48\u00b0C, are particularly helpful during the chronic stages of rheumatic diseases and are also known to have positive effects on the stomach, intestines, liver, and gallbladder. In the same area, the historic Emet Ottoman Bath, which has preserved its architectural character, continues to offer visitors a traditional healing atmosphere that has endured for centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gediz and Murat Mountain Thermal Springs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Murat Mountain Thermal Center, located in the Gediz district, is set amid forests at an elevation of 1,450 meters. Its waters, with temperatures between 37 and 43\u00b0C, are particularly healing for rheumatism, skin diseases, gynecological conditions, and nervous and muscular disorders. Murat Mountain is also distinctive as T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s first thermal ski resort, making it a unique destination for winter tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

K\u00fctahya impresses not only with its major thermal hubs but also with its boutique springs scattered throughout the region. Known for its proximity to the city center, Yenice \u015eifa Bath is a favorite among locals and offers an ideal option for short restorative breaks. Springs in locations such as Gediz Il\u0131ca, Simav Na\u015fa, Simav \u00c7itg\u00f6l, Hisarc\u0131k Esire, and Tav\u015fanl\u0131 G\u00f6bel make K\u00fctahya one of Anatolia\u2019s most comprehensive healing destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The importance of K\u00fctahya in thermal tourism and other leading centers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

T\u00fcrkiye ranks among the world\u2019s richest countries in geothermal resources, and K\u00fctahya holds a distinctive position within the country in this field. Across the province, there are nine officially declared Thermal Tourism Regions, the highest number of any province in T\u00fcrkiye. As a prominent destination for health tourism, K\u00fctahya offers a strong alternative for those seeking healing waters, with nine thermal springs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When thermal tourism is mentioned in T\u00fcrkiye, Afyonkarahisar is often the first city that comes to mind. With its many luxury thermal hotels and mineral-rich waters, Afyon has remained popular for years. Its springs, used since the Byzantine era, are known to benefit a wide range of conditions. Ankara\u2019s Haymana is also home to thermal waters considered among the most significant healing sources in the world. Renowned for their mineral richness, the Haymana springs have been valued for their healing properties since the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. In the Marmara Region, Yalova is known for its historic thermal facilities developed with the support of Atat\u00fcrk, while provinces such as Bursa and Bal\u0131kesir also have deeply rooted spa traditions. Among these established centers, K\u00fctahya may be less widely known, yet it stands out for the diversity and distribution of its thermal resources. Its springs are set in quieter, natural surroundings, offering a more peaceful experience than destinations shaped by mass tourism. For a broader overview of spa destinations, you can also explore\u00a0our article featuring the best thermal tourism centers in T\u00fcrkiye<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

K\u00fctahya also stands out as a destination with the potential to combine thermal tourism with diverse activities in innovative ways. The Murat Mountain Thermal Center in Gediz, for instance, is T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s first thermal ski resort, offering the chance to ski in winter and then unwind in natural thermal pools. These differentiated experiences position K\u00fctahya as a distinctive thermal destination. In conclusion, as one of the leading provinces for thermal tourism, K\u00fctahya offers a strong alternative to centers such as Afyon, Yalova, and Ankara, both in the number of its thermal springs and in its natural and historical richness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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