Escaldes-Engordany Wins Approval to Join European Historic Thermal Towns Network

The Executive Council of the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA) has approved Escaldes-Engordany's bid to join the network of historic European thermal towns, following a favourable recommendation from the association's Scientific Committee.

The parish's membership now awaits formal approval at EHTTA's General Assembly in Greece at the end of October. Once ratified, Escaldes-Engordany will join municipalities and regions across Europe with strong thermal traditions. The network manages the European Route of Historic Thermal Towns, a Cultural Itinerary certified by the Council of Europe, and promotes heritage preservation, collaboration, and the value of thermal resources.

Assessors commended the parish's distinctive bond with its thermal water, which extends far beyond tourism. It remains integral to daily life in private homes, swimming pools, public facilities, and—more recently—the Caldes project. This initiative has reintroduced open thermal baths and public spaces for direct contact with the water, reinforcing historical ties to the resource.

Escaldes-Engordany's consell major, Rosa Gili, hailed the endorsement as confirmation that efforts to recover and highlight thermal water are on the right track. She noted that Caldes aimed to return the water to citizens, making it visible and accessible while underscoring its role in local identity beyond mere tourism. Gili said membership will foster knowledge-sharing and experiences with other European thermal cities, alongside technical collaborations. EHTTA has already provided support for characterising and classifying the parish's thermal water to better understand its properties and unlock new opportunities.