SLO:
Rimske Toplice so star zdraviliški kraj v občini Laško na 213 metrih nad morjem. Nahajajo se v manjši kotlini v zavetju pod hriboma Stražnik (655 m) in Kopitnik (914 m), na desnem bregu reke Savinje, ob cesti, ki povezuje Celje in Zidani Most. Kraj se je prvotno imenoval Šmarjeta (vasica ob cerkvi sv. Marjete), svoje ime pa je dobil po zdravilišču Rimske Toplice (Romerbad) in termalni vodi, ki izvira izpod 655 metrov visokega Stražnika.
Zdravilišče Rimske Toplice
Rimljani so prvi zgradili kadi ob termalnih vrelcih, o tem pričajo najdbe starega denarja, žrtvenikov in spomenikov zaobljub, posvečeni nimfam ter rimski boginji zdravja Valetudi.
Prvič so omenjene v oglejski listini iz leta 1486, skupaj z laško gospoščino vred so bile že več kot 30 let v rokah Habsburžanov, ki so jih pridobili, ko so celjski grofje izumrli (1456).
Ugotovili so, da je v triadnih dolomitnih skalah, katerih plasti padajo proti severu, več paralelnih razpok. Iz njih poleg manjših prihajata dva močna izvira. Zajeli so samo oba večja. Prvega so poimenovali Amalijin vrelec, drugega pa krstili za Rimski vrelec.
Leta 1840 jih je v imenu svoje žene Amalije kupil tržaški veletrgovec Gustav Adolf Uhlich, saj je zaradi blagodejnih učinkov tukajšnje termalne vode ozdravel, v družinski lasti so bile do nastanka nove Jugoslavije.
Leta 1854 so jim zaradi prepoznavnosti dali propagandno ime Rimske Toplice (Romerbad). Leta 1856 so sredi parka zgradili tri nadstropni Sofijin dvor v obliki nemških grajskih stavb.
Narediti je bilo potrebno tudi (sprehajalne) poti in ko so pričeli graditi Južno železnico proti Ljubljani (1846) tudi most preko Savinje.
Toplice so obiskovali aristokrati in meščani, največ je bilo Nemcev iz raznih krajev monarhije. Gostje so bili tudi Tržačani, Madžari, Zagrebčani in celo iz Amerike. Ugledni gosti po letu 1848 so bili: angleška princesa in pruska prestolonaslednica Viktorija (leta 1879), Napoleonova sestra Caroline Bonaparte, princesa Murat, avstrijski književnik Franz Grillparzer, srbski književnik Vuk Karađžić, cesar Ferdinand in nadvojvoda Janez.
Najimenitnejši so imeli navado posaditi kakšno eksotično drevo v kopališkem parku, ki je danes dom orjaških sekvoj, kanadske čuge, japonske ciprese, tise, kalifornijske cedre in drugih zanimivih eksotičnih dreves.
Med drugo svetovno vojno je zdravilišče zavzela nemška vojska in jih preuredila v bolnišnico za svoje vojake.
Leta 1945 je bil opravljen prenos lastništva na bivšo JLA ta pa ga je namenila zdravljenju in okrevanju svojih pripadnikov. Po osamosvojitvi države Slovenije (1991) se je zdravilišče zaprlo in zapečatilo. Termalna voda se je nekontrolirano spuščala v reko Savinjo vse do leta 2005, ko so se uradno pričela obnovitvena dela.
Leta 2008 zdravilišče doživi delno otvoritev prenovljenega Sofijinega dvorca. Leta 2011, po dvajsetih letih pa so ponovno odprli svoja vrata in zdravilišče poimenovali Rimske terme.
Viri: https://www.tdrt.si/rimske-toplice/ in https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rimske_Toplice
ENG:
Rimske Toplice is an old healing place with a population of about 1000 people. The town is located in the shelter of two hills: Stražnik (655 m) and Kopitnik (914 m). The valley of Rimske Toplice is surrounded by forest hillsides of the surrounding hills providing shelter from wind and excessive heat. It is 17 km away from Celje. A road and Celje-Zidani most railroad pass through Rimske Toplice. Originally Rimske Toplice was named Šmarjeta (village by the St. Margaret’s Church).
Rimske Toplice Spa
In 39 BC, the ancient Romans, who were aware of the healing effects of thermal water, built the first swimming pools with hot and cold water at the today’s location of Rimske Toplice. Marble altars and vow monuments dedicated to nymphs and the Roman goddess of health, Valetuda, were discovered at the location of today’s baths.
Rimske Toplice was first mentioned in a written document of Aquileia in 1486, but really came to life after 1840, when merchant Gustav Adolf Ulrich from Trieste who was healed as a result of the beneficial effects of the thermal water, purchased it in the name of his wife Amalija.
After 1848, Rimske Toplice was visited by many distinguished guests such as the English Princess and Crown Princess Victoria of Prussia, Napoleon’s sister Caroline Bonaparte, the Princess Murat, the Austrian writer Franz Grillparzer, the Serbian writer Vuk Karađić, Emperor Ferdinand, the Archduke Johann and many others.
The valley is rich in vegetation and of exotic plants from all the continents of the world which were planted in gratitude of a successful healing. This is the home of the world renowned sequoia trees, Canadian hemlock, Thujopsis dolabrata, cypress, yew tree, Californian cedar tree…
During World War II, Rimske Toplice was in the hands of the German Wehrmacht, which transformed the spa into a hospital for soldiers. In the period from the end of World War II and until 1991, the resort was managed by the Yugoslav People’s Army. During these times the healing properties of the thermal water and the beautiful environment were avaliable only to certain high-ranking officers.
In the past few years the spa has become available to anyone who wishes to experience its healing effects and were renamed into Rimske Terme.
DOSTOP/ACCESS:
Avtocesta Ljubljana – Maribor:
Avtocesto zapustimo na izvozu Celje center in se peljemo v smeri Laškega (20 kilometrov). Nadaljujemo v smeri Zidanega Mosta, naslednji večji kraj so nato Rimske Toplice.
Iz Zasavja:
Po regionalni cesti iz Ljubljane se peljemo skozi Litijo, Zagorje ob Savi in Trbovlje. V kraju Hrastnik zavijemo levo čez most in sledimo oznakam za Celje. Peljemo se skozi Dol pri Hrastniku, Marno in Brezno do Rimskih Toplic.
Ljubljana – Maribor highway
On the highway from the direction of Ljubljana or Maribor choose the exit Celje center. At the first traffic light turn left in the direction of Celje center. Remain on the road for 20 kilometers driving towards the city of Laško. Then continue straight towards Zidani Most and the next city after Laško is Rimske Toplice.
From Zasavje
On the regional road from Ljubljana you will drive through Litija, Zagorje ob Savi and Trbovlje. Once you arrive in Hrastnik turn left across the bridge and follow the road sighs for Celje. Driving through Dol pri Hrastniku, Marno and Brezno you will reach Rimske Toplice.