The beautifully renovated Rác Baths have been lying vacant for well over a decade due to a complicated legal dispute. This May, Budapest Gyógyfürdő és Hévizei Zrt (BGYH), the body that oversees most spas in the capital, succeeded in its bid to gain ownership. It shouldn’t be too long before everyone can use one of the city’s most venerable baths again.

Back in 2001, the City decided to renovate the Rác Baths and to build an adjoining 67-room hotel. High-end Italian chain Baglioni then bought a share of the property and proceeded to complete the renovation, between 2007-10.

There then followed another decade of stasis and red tape, recently resolved by current Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony.

Although no opening date has yet been set, it should only be a matter of time before this historic facility close to Elizabeth Bridge in the Tabán will be welcoming visitors to bathe, swim and enjoy a massage.

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