Vera, Lohyňa, Slovakia

## Overview Vera is a natural mineral spring located near the hamlet of Lohyňa, south of the village of Slatinské Lazy in central Slovakia. This carbonated mineral water source has been known and valued since at least the late 19th century, when it was formally analyzed by Dr. Béla Lengyel in Budapest on May 13, 1887. Dr. Lengyel's analysis revealed that the water is earthy-carbonated with a temperature of 11.6°C (at an air temperature of 18°C), a specific gravity of 1.0004, and a CO₂ content of 2,200 mg per liter. The analysis identified 13 elements and their compounds. In his evaluation, Dr. Lengyel noted: *"From the analysis it is evident that the 'VERA' spring, in addition to larger quantities of calcium and magnesium hydrocarbonate, notably contains sodium hydrocarbonate and iron hydrocarbonate. Remarkable is the quantity of free carbonic acid contained in the water, which together with the half-bound carbonic acid amounts to 1,362.8 cm³ per 10 liters — making this water exceptional among waters rich in carbonic acid."* The high mineral content and natural carbonation place Vera among the notable mineral springs of the Slovak ore mountain region, historically referred to as *medokýše* (a traditional Slovak term for naturally carbonated mineral springs). These springs have been used by local communities for centuries as sources of refreshing, naturally sparkling water. ## Directions 1. Head to the village of **Slatinské Lazy** in the Banská Bystrica region of central Slovakia. 2. From Slatinské Lazy, travel **south** approximately **1 km** toward the hamlet of **Lohyňa**. 3. The spring is located in a **cottage settlement (chatová osada)** near Lohyňa. 4. Follow the dirt/field road along the stream — the spring is on the **right-hand side of the stream**, beside the field path. **GPS coordinates:** 48.545704, 19.291992 ## What to Expect Vera is a publicly accessible mineral spring, open 24 hours a day, year-round. The spring sits in a peaceful cottage settlement along a stream near Lohyňa, surrounded by the rolling countryside of central Slovakia. The water emerges naturally carbonated, with a distinctive mineral character owing to its calcium, magnesium, sodium, and iron hydrocarbonate content. Visitors have historically used this spring as a source of naturally sparkling drinking water, and it has long been valued by locals as a *medokýša*. The water temperature has been recorded at a cool 11.6°C. The setting is rural and quiet — expect a field path rather than a paved walkway, and plan for simple, unpaved terrain. The spring is located beside a stream, making it a pleasant spot to pause during a walk through the Slovak countryside. For those interested in the history of mineral water analysis in the Austro-Hungarian era, Vera offers a tangible connection to 19th-century balneological science, with Dr. Lengyel's 1887 analysis standing as one of the earliest documented studies of this spring's composition.