Smokovo

The curative thermal springs of Smokovo located 3.5-4 hrs drive from Athens, 35 km southwest of Karditsa (road Karditsa - Rentina), in the mountain range of Agrafa, at an altitude of 450 meters and are 6 km from the village of Smokovos (Loutropigi) and only 10 km away from lake Smokovo.

The first mention of the use of the Smokovo thermal springs was made in 1662. Among the most famous visitors of that time were Ali Pasha of Ioannina and Mahmout Pasha.

During the Turkish rule, the Convention of Tamasi was signed in Smokovo. According to this convention Agrafa were autonomous from the Turkish rule. It is very impressive that all settlements and churches follow the local traditional architecture.

The Hydrotherapy Center is one of the most modern and in June 2009 the new SPA complex started operating, which in combination with the beneficial and healing properties of the thermal springs offers guests relaxation and well-being. The new complex has a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, two classic and two diathermy saunas, two Turkish baths and two relaxation massage rooms. There are also individual inhalation rooms, nasal wash room and large, comfortable, clean private baths that at the touch of a button become a whirlpool (jacuzzi). During their operation, qualified personnel and doctor permanently available during operation hours of the Center. The Hydrotherapy Center open daily from 8 am to 8 pm, from June 1st to October 15th (the normal bathing season), while the rest of the months are open normally on all weekends and public holidays.

Properties of the thermal springs of Smokovo

The thermal waters flow from five springs at a natural temperature of 37 to 40.2C and are channeled to the hydrotherapy center. They have an alkaline sulfide composition, a slight odor of hydrogen sulfide and are considered one of the best in Greece.

The thermal springs of Smokovo are recommended for respiratory diseases, rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia, myalgias, skin diseases, and gynecological diseases. The treatment with thermal water has been known in our country since ancient times not only on an empirical but also on a scientific level. Herodotus (484-410B.C.) established the time of bath therapy in 21 days.

The ancient Greeks were well aware of some of the properties of the thermal baths which they used not only for therapeutic purposes but also to keep them in good physical condition.