The city of Spa
The spa which actually wears the name ‘Spa’, is located in the province of Liège in the Belgian Ardennes. Spa owes its fame in the first place to its mineral springs. You can drink the iron-bearing water directly from the Source of Peter the Great, in the centre of Spa. Numerous kings and composers stayed in Spa and during the heyday of Spa, wealthy citizens had castles build here.
At the end of the 18th century, Spa became known as a health resort and in the 19th century it became that well-known, that in English the word "spa" has become a generic term for spa. Also the spring water from Spa, "Spa Red" seems to be generic. Near Spa, in the municipality of Stavelot, is the famous Spa-Francorchamps race track where the annual Formula 1 race is held. There is also a museum of the circuit.
