Natural Hot Spring Pool of Montanejos
The Fuente de los Baños is, without a doubt, the crown jewel of Montanejos. A small paradise for visitors looking to discover and bathe in a privileged environment. An area of thermal waters with proven healing properties.
La Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos
La Fuente de los Baños is a continental beach located on the course of the Mijares River, the main river in the province of Castellón. In this exceptional place, water rises forth and helps the river to recover the volume of water lost due to the reservoirs built upstream, such as the “Pantano de Arenoso” and the “Presa de Cirat”.
These reservoirs ensure that the thermal waters of the Fuente de los Baños do not mix with the cold waters of the Mijares, which makes this natural phenomenon the beginning of a thermal riverbed with an extension of approximately one kilometre.
The bathing area
The location of the Montanejos’ Fuente de los Baños is truly privileged, with an impressive limestone gorge that rises almost 15 metres and through which the waters flow.
In its extensive bathing area, which is over 100 metres long, there are places where the depth reaches three metres, such as in the charming corner of the ravine canyon grotto. From inside, you can enjoy views of the water that will simply take your breath away.
The Montanejos Hot Springs and their healing properties
25ºC all year round
The thermal waters of Fuente de los Baños flow constantly at a pleasant temperature of 25ºC throughout the year. This feature makes it a perfect destination for a relaxing bath in any season, and even on the coldest days of winter, when the contrast in temperatures produces steam on the river, creating an even more comforting environment.
These waters are famous for their healing properties, which have been known since the 17th century. They are especially appreciated for their rich content of bicarbonate and magnesium sulphate, making them ideal for treating digestive, renal and dermatological conditions.
Medicinal properties of Montanejos’ waters
- Bicarbonate: The waters of the Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos are rich in bicarbonates, which makes them especially beneficial for digestive problems such as indigestion and heartburn. Bicarbonate can also help neutralize excess of acid in the body.
- Magnesium Sulfate: Also known as Epsom salt, the magnesium sulfate present in these waters has relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is believed that magnesium can be absorbed through the skin during bathing, which can help relieve muscle and joint pain, as well as improve blood circulation.
- Minerals: In addition to bicarbonates and sulfates, the waters of Fuente de los Baños contain a variety of other minerals that are beneficial for the skin and overall health, such as calcium, potassium, and iron. These minerals can help nourish the skin, improve its elasticity, and promote a healthier appearance.
- Dermatological Properties: Thanks to their mineral composition, these waters are known to help in the treatment of various skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. Regular bathing in these waters can help soothe irritation, reduce inflammation and promote skin healing.
In addition to their use in the Montanejos Spa for therapeutic treatments, the thermal waters of the Fuente de los Baños are used in the cosmetics industry to create beauty products and also in the production of the artisanal beer “La Vidigonera”.
The Fountain
The fountain is the ideal place to drink from these waters and enjoy their healthy properties. Nowadays, it retains a very similar appearance to that of the 1970s and 1980s, although throughout its long history it has been rebuilt in various styles and shapes.
Behind the fountain there is a small natural cave, the bottom of which is the main spring of the place. The flow that emerges from this cave is approximately 6000 liters per minute, which then flow through the seven spouts that make up the fountain.
The fountain we see today consists of a stone masonry wall with ceramic decorations. In the centre, above the spouts, there is a legend that tells of the discovery of the healing properties of the waters. On the upper level, you can see the images of our Lady of Lidón, our Lady of the Forsaken and Saint Peter. Finally, on top of the fountain, there is the coat of arms of Montanejos, made of stones.
History of La Fuente de los Baños
It is common for myths of exotic or even magical backgrounds to be associated with places of charm such as this. The legend surrounding the discovery of the waters of the Fuente de los Baños of Montanejos lacks written support to certify it, but it is set in a real historical period.
The first document mentioning the healing properties of the waters of Montanejos dates back to 1714. It is entitled “Instructions for taking the waters from the medicinal springs of Montanejos” and was written by Mossen Pedro Gil y Vergara. In it, reference is made to the cures experienced by both him and the inhabitants of Montanejos and its surroundings when drinking the water from the Fuente de los Baños.
In 1795, Antonio José Cavanilles, who recorded his experience visiting the Fuente de los Baños in his “Observations on the Natural History of the Kingdom of Valencia”, described its water as “moderately warm, extremely crystalline, pleasant to the palate and without any smell.”
Cavanilles refers to the medicinal properties attributed to the waters and the State, on October 13th 1863, during the reign of Isabel II, declared them of public utility by Royal Order. This declaration was a true revolution for Montanejos, since the flow of visitors in search of cures began to be unstoppable, marking the beginning of a revolution that continues to this day. The fame of the waters reached such a point that they began to be bottled and sold in large cities such as Valencia or Castellón.
From the end of the 19th century until the end of the 1960s, it was mandatory for the spring to be under the supervision of a doctor, who indicated to the sick the appropriate doses or the time of immersion in the water.
Services in Fuerte de los Baños
La Fuente de los Baños has different services for the visitor’s comfort:
- Bathrooms-changing rooms
- Bar with a terrace where you can enjoy a snack with privileged views
During the peak seasons for visitors, and with the ultimate aim of maintaining both the natural environment and the quality of the water in optimal conditions, a capacity control system is implemented in the Paraje de la Fuente de los Baños, located between “El Puente Nuevo” and the “Fuente de los Baños” itself.
Tickets to the site can be purchased either online through the payment gateway found on this website or in person at the ticket offices at the access points.
Ticket sales for Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos
Currently the entrance to Paraje Fuente de los Baños is free. You can enter without the need for a ticket or prior reservation.
Access Rules
To access the site it is IMPORTANT to take into account these basic rules:
a. No pets are allowed.
b. No large amounts of food or household items allowed: refrigerators, lunch boxes, cutlery, pots. Only one sandwich and 1L of drink per person are allowed.
c. No camping equipment is allowed : refrigerators, umbrellas, tents, tables, marquees, etc. Only one chair per person is allowed.
d. No bathing accessories are allowed : floats, mats, boards, inflatables, etc.