Escaldes-Engordany has officially become a member of the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA). The formal incorporation took place during the association's general assembly held in Loutraki, Greece, attended by Mayor Rosa Gili and the Councillor for Citizen Participation, Ramon Tena.
During the event, EHTTA President Riccardo Mortandello presented a commemorative plaque marking Escaldes-Engordany's entry into the association. This membership represents a significant step in the local government's strategy to enhance the thermal heritage of the parish, boost its international profile, and establish connections with other European towns that share a history linked to thermal waters.
In her address to representatives from member cities, Gili expressed her satisfaction with the incorporation and emphasised the role of thermal waters in the history and development of Escaldes-Engordany. “We have always been very proud of our thermal waters,” she stated, recalling that having naturally hot water at 70 degrees Celsius in a mountainous region was a true privilege for the parish's ancestors and contributed to improving their quality of life. This resource also attracted residents from neighbouring towns, who travelled to Escaldes to benefit from the properties of its waters.
Since the current communal majority took office in 2020, one of their objectives has been to restore the prominence of thermal waters and make this heritage accessible to the community. Gili discussed the Caldes project, an artistic and urban intervention designed to pay tribute to the parish's thermal history and revitalise the old town. The project, which emerged from a design competition, features bold artistic proposals, including sculptures inspired by the ancient taps and bathtubs of the first hotels in Andorra, which played a crucial role in the economic transformation of Escaldes-Engordany and the country as a whole. “Initially, it was a controversial project, but today it is a reality that we enjoy in our daily lives and has become a symbol of the parish and the country,” she affirmed.
Gili also referenced the establishment of Caldea in the 1990s, a facility that has helped position Andorra as a leading destination for thermal and wellness tourism. The incorporation into the EHTTA will enable Escaldes-Engordany to share experiences and knowledge with other European thermal towns, learn about preservation and promotion initiatives, and explore new avenues for collaboration in cultural and tourism sectors. “We want to learn from the experiences of other cities, draw inspiration from their projects, and continue to improve together,” Gili stated, advocating for the importance of working collectively to strengthen ties between regions and make European thermal heritage a benchmark for culture, history, tourism, and wellness.
The European Historic Thermal Towns Association is a network that brings together municipalities and territories across Europe with a tradition linked to thermalism. The entity manages the European Route of Historic Thermal Towns, recognised as a Cultural Route by the Council of Europe since 2010, and works to protect, promote, and raise awareness of European thermal heritage. With this membership, Escaldes-Engordany solidifies its commitment to preserving and showcasing one of the most unique elements of its identity.
