Spa is a Belgian town located in Liège Province, and the town where the term spa originates. Spa is one of Belgium's most popular tourist destinations, being renowned for its natural mineral springs and production of 'Spa' mineral water, which is exported worldwide. In 2021, the town became part of the transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name 'Great Spas of Europe'.
As the site of cold springs with alleged healing properties, Spa has been frequented as a watering-place since the 14th century. It is the town of Spa which has become eponymous with any place having a natural water source that is believed to possess special health-giving properties, known as a spa. The Spa town grew at that time, in the oldest iron and steel centre of Liège Province. The ban Spa was created around 1335 and included two urban concentrations, vilhe of Creppe and vilhe Spas, 2 kilometres away. Prior to the exploitation of mineral water, the steel industry developed communication lines, which made it possible to develop the spa town.
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The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.
Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.