Spa is a Belgian town, located in the Province of Liège, and it is the town which has given its name to every spa in the world.

The term is derived from the name of the town, “Spa”, a name that has been known since Roman times, when the town was called Aquae Spadanae. The name is supposed to have been derived from a curative natural spring that was found in the town.

During medieval times, illnesses were supposedly cured by the drinking from the spring which was called “Espa”, a Walloon word for “fountain”.

Tourist Centre

Spa is one of Belgium’s main tourist centres. Not only is the town famous for its several natural mineral springs, it is also the location of mineral water producer Spa, whose bottled mineral water is exported worldwide.

Nearby Spa, in the village of Francorchamps you will find the renowned Motor Racing Circuit, Spa-Francorchamps which hosts the annual Belgian Grand Prix.

First World War

During the First World War, Spa was an important German convalescent hospital town and was the location of the German Army’s principal Headquarters especially during the latter period of the war. This was the last place where Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany resided in 1918 before the German Generals withdrew their support for him leading to his abdication.

Spa was also the place from where German delegates set out for the French lines to meet Marshal Foch and to sue for peace leading to the Armistice which ended the First World War. The picture on the right is of a German Military Staff Car leaving the German HQ in Spa, flying a white flag, on its way to meet with Marshal Foch.

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