Rajecké Teplice: Discover Thermal Waters, Culture and Nature

Rajecké Teplice combines warm thermal water, wooded landscapes, historic buildings and a variety of activities within a compact area. The spa town’s baths draw their thermal water from underground springs at a depth of approximately 30 m; the water has a temperature of 34 to 38 °C. The Aphrodite balneological centre offers several therapeutic spa treatments.

Geographical Setting

The town lies in the southern part of the Rajecká Basin, in a wooded valley on the Rajčianka River. The surrounding landscape includes the Malá Fatra and the Strážov Mountains. This setting reveals the different facets of the town: the water and spa tradition are just as much part of the townscape as the river landscape, forest and mountain surroundings.

Nature

A distinctive small landscape feature is Labutie jazierko. The artificial pond was created by damming or diverting the Kuneradský potok stream. Swans and ducks can be found there almost constantly. From spring to autumn, boats can be rented on the pond, while in winter Labutie jazierko serves as an ice-skating area.

The Slnečné skaly educational trail leads from Rajecké Teplice to Porúbka through the Rajecká dolina valley. Along the way, it passes the Poluvsianska skalná ihla rock formation and continues to the Slnečné skaly nature reserve. Another educational trail starts at a car park in Rajecké Teplice, right next to the Laura outdoor swimming pool, and is 5.6 km long. The Laura thermal bath is approximately a 5- to 10-minute walk from the town centre.

Recreation and Exercise

Rajecké Teplice offers several cycling loops. These include Rajeckou dolinou na dvoch kolesách, or RDn2K for short, a predominantly asphalt cycling circuit for cyclists and families with children. The Rajecké Teplice Pump track is also suitable for children and adults, as well as for beginners and experienced riders.

A historical city tour is also part of what the town offers. It leads to the spa town’s most important historic sites and sights. In this way, guided insights into the history of Rajecké Teplice are available alongside active routes and the spa centre.

Culture and History

The Múzeum dopravy is housed in the Rajecké Teplice railway station and presents the development of transport from the earliest times to the present day. The railway section includes an H0 model railway, historic railway offices and a historic rail trolley used for maintaining the line. The local Žilina–Rajec railway line was built in 1898 and 1899; Rajecké Teplice railway station was established in 1899 in the immediate vicinity of the spa area.

Among the more recent religious buildings is the Kostol Božského Srdca Ježišovho, which was built in 2000 and 2001. On 24 November 2001, it was consecrated by Ján Ch. Cardinal Korec, the Bishop of Nitra. Older is the Kostolík Nanebovzatia Panny Márie, built in 1909 in a Neo-Gothic style influenced by Alpine architecture. Inside is a wooden-carved Stations of the Cross by the woodcarver Jozef Pekara from Rajecké Teplice.

Another distinctive building is the Flámm brewery building. Its construction was completed in 1910, and the building is considered an architecturally prominent landmark of Rajecké Teplice.

Further Places

Further places: Kunerad, Lietavská Lúčka, Čičmany, Belá, Stráža, Rajecká Lesná, Lietavská Svinná-Babkov, Fačkov.

To the broader travel overview: Okres Žilina.