The spa park in Laško is not only the green heart of the city, it is also a place of memories, transformations and progress. For decades, it has accompanied the development of the spa, the city and the community that lives with nature. Today, the park represents a place of relaxation, recreation, play and peace - for locals, Thermana guests and random visitors.
Take a walk through the history and development of the park - from its beginnings to today's contents and renovated image.
History: from gardens along the Savinja River to a landscaped spa park
The spa park has a rich history that dates back to the end of the 19th century, when the area along the Savinja River became a popular gathering place for locals and spa guests. Even then, the first gardens, designed for relaxation and regeneration, and soon also swimming pool by the river, which attracted visitors from the wider region. The image of the park has changed several times over the decades, just as the owners of the health resort, founded in 1854, have changed. The first to design the park was Leopold Rödel, an engineer and builder, who first had to fill the area – otherwise a flood plain – with material and build a protective embankment. Elements from an earlier time were also preserved, such as the poplar avenue planted during the construction of the Celje–Rimske Toplice road in 1818.
The turning point in the development of the park was the arrival of Dr. Stein in 1857, a prominent Viennese professor who designed the park based on the classicist Viennese parks. He planted exotic trees, erected replicas of ancient statues, built a music pavilion and designed a sun and shade garden that could accommodate up to 300 visitors. At that time, the park became a real bourgeois gathering place – orchestras from Austria played at the “Viennese Evenings”, as well as military bands from Maribor and Ljubljana. Laško gained a reputation popular resort, which was further strengthened by the proximity of the railway.
In 1882, the spa was taken over by a wealthy industrialist Theodor Gunkel. At the entrance to the park, he erected an eight-meter-high triumphal arch with griffins, arranged lighting with its own hydroelectric power plant, designed stone flower beds and rotundas, and built wide walking paths. He placed guard dogs in the park. Gunkel was also a sports enthusiast - he arranged tennis courts, a bowling alley, and a boathouse in the park.
But the park was not always a place of peace – during World War I the spa was converted into military hospitaland the park was turned into a military barracks and horse corrals. Trees were cut down for firewood, and many statues and garden features were destroyed or sold. A similar incident occurred during World War II, when the hospital was re-established, and the park was used for military exercises. After the war, the park's appearance changed again - the chestnut avenue was cut down, the park was opened up, flower gardens were added, greenhouses were created, and the park also received a permanent gardenerDuring this period, the park acquired the concept of a landscaped horticultural space, which has been preserved to this day.
Today's image: a park for all generations
Today, the Spa Park is a well-maintained, green and lively area that offers facilities for a variety of visitors – from children to the elderly. The park's primary purpose remains at the forefront: supporting health, well-being and connecting with nature.
Children's toys and bee puzzles
For the youngest, the park is a true paradise. Visitors can find a modern and safe children's playground that allows for creative and active play. Children are interested in reading special bee puzzles that playfully introduce the meaning of bees. It is a unique interpretive approach that also gives the park educational value.
Outdoor fitness and senior exercise park
For those who want to exercise outdoors, the park offers an outdoor fitness center with equipment for building strength, flexibility, and endurance. There is also a specially designed senior exercise park, adapted to the needs of the elderly.
Energy points
The healing power of nature is also present in the energy points, which are now part of a special path through the park. Visitors can relax their minds and recharge their energy at these points.
Taking care of order: the work of gardeners and maintenance staff
The beauty of the Spa Park is no coincidence. The Thermana gardening and maintenance staff takes care of the overall orderliness, horticultural plantings, mowed lawns and cleanliness.. Their work is often invisible, but crucial: from planting seasonal plants to arranging paths and mowing lawns. After every storm, drought or heavy rain, immediate action is taken: removing damaged branches, restoring flower beds or repairing paths. It is a constant, thoughtful and committed work that ensures that the park remains a tidy, safe and pleasant place to relax for everyone.
Despite numerous natural challenges – especially the floods that often hit the area along the Savinja River – the park has always come back to life. Major weather events have required extensive renovation work, including at floods in 2023, when the park was severely damaged, and many residents of Lašča also helped clean it up. Thermana provided over 150,000 euros of its own funds for the park's rehabilitation: from mechanical removal of debris to cleaning and planting new trees.
Social Responsibility: Gogi's Tree Grove
Goran Dragić, who has been organizing a basketball camp for children in Laško since 2021, is creating a project in accordance with the sustainable philosophy of his charitable foundation, together with Thermana and numerous sponsors and partners. Gogi's tree groveThe common goal of all stakeholders is to contribute to a better future through sustainable measures and raising awareness about the importance of environmental protection. The first set of trees was planted in 2023, and we continue our commitment to sustainability and care for nature by planting trees.
Investment and development: a look into the future
Thermana is actively investing in the renovation and development of the Spa Park. The investments confirm our long-term commitment to developing a quality green space that is not just a beautiful backdrop, but an active, vibrant park for everyone. Each year, Thermana invests approximately 50,000 euros in the park for the purposes of mowing, cleaning, maintenance, and preservation of plant species in the park.As part of the investment in the comprehensive renovation of the park in partnership with the Municipality of Laško, the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport with European funds, Thermana invested in September 2025 over 100,000 euros of own funds, intended for the arrangement of additional paths, the purchase of urban equipment (trash cans and benches), the arrangement of lighting on the internal park path and the arrangement of plumbing and electrical installations for the purpose of installing charging stations for cars and motorhomes. The entire renovation includes landscaped park areas and walking paths, new urban equipment and lighting, supplemented plantings and two multimedia centers on the theme of well-being. The total investment value is 781,415 euros.The difference between the drawn grants in the amount of 317,044 euros in 2024 and 2025 is covered by the municipal budget of the municipality of Laško.
Annual dedicated donation
In line with its values of supporting the local environment in which it operates, Thermana has committed to the park renovation project as part of its commitment to: from 2025 to 2032 inclusive, made annual earmarked donations to the budget of the Municipality of Laško in the total amount of just over EUR 150,000 for the purpose of maintaining and renovating infrastructure and firefighting tasks carried out by voluntary firefighting societies through the Laško Firefighters' Association.
Spa Park – a story that grows with nature and people
The spa park in Laško is not just a part of the urban landscape. It is a living story – about the connection of spa tradition, respect for nature and responsible ownership. The role of Thermana is not only in preserving, but also in developing this space, so that it remains accessible, beautiful and useful for everyone who seeks contact with nature and health.
The park, which has always offered a pleasant walking scenery, today offers diverse content for all generations, and tomorrow perhaps new stories, new paths and even more opportunities for well-being. Together with the local community, the municipality and European funds, a space is being created, enriched by the hands of those who nurture it every day.
May the Spa Park remain a place of inspiration, relaxation, movement and peace – just as it has always been.
