LOCATION
The City of Geoagiu with its 10 surrounding villages covers an area of 155.69 square km in the north-eastern part of Hunedoara county, at the Alba county border. Located at 45° 55` latitude north, 23°15` longitude east, at an altitude of 217 meters above sea level, sits in a depression formed by the last ramifications of the Ore Mountains. Its territory is crossed by Mureș River, Geoagiu Valley and Homorod stream, the latter two being tributary to the former.
CLIMATE
The climate of the area falls within temperate continental climate sector. Low atmospheric variations, uniform pressure, quite low temperature and air humidity associations, predominantly clear skies and precipitations below the national average, are just some of the climatological elements of the area. The geographical position also explains the existence of relatively mild winters.
HISTORY
Geoagiu is attested from 1291, when it was referred to as the “Villa Gyog” in a document that lists the borders of Bintiniti (nowadays Aurel Vlaicu). In 1506 the town Geoagiu was the feudal residence of the lords that ruled Wallachia – Radu the Great and Neagoe. After World War I Geoagiu became the main residence subordinating 31 villages. 2000 is the year that Geoagiu village was raised to the rank of town. The first data we have on the existence of the village come from the Dacians (first millennium BC), due to numerous archaeological discoveries made in the area. According to several historians’ theories, Germisara, the Roman fort built after the Roman conquest (2nd century AD), was built on the site of an ancient Dacian fortress. Germisara means “hot water” (Germi = heat, sara = waterfall) and refers to the thermal waters in the area, known by the Dacians and then exploited at a higher level, by the Romans.
At present, these baths are the Geoagiu spas, situated at an altitude of 350 m, in an area of impressive geological turmoil, which explains the formation of these geothermal springs. The climate here is refreshing and invigorating, with small variations in temperature, mild winters and pleasant summers, registering over 100 annual days of sunshine. Natural treatment factors are: thermo-mineral waters used for external cures treating degenerative rheumatic diseases, inflammatory disorders and disorders of the peripheral nervous system, dermatological diseases, neurasthenia etc. When used internally, they can treat stomach problems, ulcers, chronic bile duct diseases, colitis, diseases of the renal and endocrine systems, nutritional and metabolic disorders. Therapeutic mud (peat) is indicated in the treatment of pre-arthritic conditions (prophylactic treatment in professions with a high risk of developing arthritis ), spinal arthritis and rheumatism , abarticular rheumatism, periarthritis (excepting active periods), allergic conditions such as rheumatic fever or outbreak infections in clinical and stabilization phases, musculoskeletal and peripheral nerve trauma, dermatological diseases (chronic eczema, psoriasis).
The picturesque landscape, hot springs and mineral heritage monuments and historic sites represent permanent source of tourist attraction for the Geoagiu area.