Medical/wellness tourism development in the world heritage caves of the Aggtelek and Slovak Karst

The aim of the joint Hungarian-Slovakian project was to examine the therapeutic effect of the air in the Baradla-Domica cave system, to verify it by objective measurements, and to create the infrastructure necessary for the cave therapy services. Within the framework of the project, we performed the necessary preparatory surveys to qualify the Baradla cave as a therapeutic cave, and submitted the complete licensing documentation to the licensing authority at the end of the project. As part of the activities, experts performed water staining, geophysical, hydrological, microbiological, radiophysical and cave climate surveys in the Baradla-Domica cave system, in Béke Cave and in the water catchment areas of these caves, both in Hungary and in Slovakia. Moreover, in Baradla Cave, we have performed an approved cave therapy test, led by pulmonologists, to prove the effects of cave climate as a natural therapeutic factor on patients with respiratory illnesses.  In the project, we implemented the infrastructure necessary for providing therapeutic services in the future, in the Fox branch of the Baradla Cave (Aggtelek). The Slovakian partner developed and built the climatotherapy part of the Domica Cave (Spa Room). We also procured the therapeutic equipment necessary for cave therapy (such as treatment beds, sleeping bags, garments, relaxation equipment etc.).