Locality: FITERO (31593)
Zone: The Ribera
Tel.: 948776275
Fax: 948776225
Email: balneario@fitero.com
Location
In the south of Navarre, 32 kilometres from Tudela and 3 from Fitero, the thermal waters of the Balneario (Spa) of Fitero flow down through the rocks of the Peña del Baño. The curing powers of the waters combine with a delightful natural setting and the rich artistic heritage of the area. Here it is possible to enjoy nature in a healthy way thanks to the waters that flow through the ground at a temperature between 32 and 52ºC.
The poet Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, Pope Benedict XV (when he was still a cardinal), monarchs and bullfighters are some of the illustrious figures that have felt the benefit of the waters of Fitero, which are particularly good for sufferers of rheumatism, arthrosis, gout and asthma. The spa is also an ideal place to find peace and quiet, practice sports or just enjoy close contact with nature.
Springs of curative water emerge from the earth just 3 kilometres from Fitero in the Ribera (south) of Navarre under the shelter of the rocky Peña del Baño (literally, ?Outcrop of the Bath’). They were first taken advantage of by the Romans and later by the Arabs. There are two hotels located above the springs: the Virrey Palafox and the Gustavo Adolfo Becquer.
Description
The first opened in 1728 and owes its name to the Virrey (viceroy) who grew up there in the 17th century. It has capacity for 120 guests and conserves some ancient Roman thermal baths in its interior. The new spa hotel, built in 1846, carries the name of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer in honour of the poet who stayed there (in room 314) and wrote “El Miserere”, “La fe salva” and “La cueva de la Mora”. This hotel has accommodation for 328 guests.
The spa is open from March to December and the water from its springs, which can be drunk or used for baths, inhalations, showers and natural saunas, is ideal for sufferers of rheumatism, gout, arthrosis and other bone and joint problems, chronic bronchial conditions, pharyngitis, anxiety syndromes and certain types of asthma.
Many legends have sprung up around the baths, such as the one in which a farm worker immersed himself in the water and was cooked alive because he had not rested on the day of Santiago (St. James).
The surrounding
The spa is located in a pleasant spot and the surrounding area has an excellent microclimate. Apart from walks in the vicinity, along paths that run between pine groves and rocks, the spa is good starting point for excursions to nearby places of artistic and cultural interest such as the monasteries of Fitero and Tulebras, the noble towns of Corella and Tudela, or the attractive localities of Tarazona (Saragossa province) and Enciso (La Rioja).