From the end of the 19th century, researchers became increasingly interested in the underwater world of Lake Hévíz and the path of its healing thermal waters. Between February 7–11 and from February 28 to March 31, 1972, István Plózer and György Kovács conducted exploratory dives in the lake. At a depth of 38 meters at the bottom of the spring crater, they encountered 38.8°C water powerfully gushing out around wooden debris.
Over several days, they cleared away remnants and mud that had slid down from the crater walls, eventually reaching a 3–4 meter wide and 0.6–0.8 meter high opening blocked by rubble. They squeezed into the dangerously narrowing corridor but did not proceed further at that time. For safety reasons, the removal of the debris blocking the spring was halted.
On February 10, 1975, István Plózer, along with his friend and diving partner Lajos Csávosi, undertook a new, carefully planned dive and swam into the corridor.
“With some maneuvering, I squeezed through the narrow opening and moved to the left side of the corridor, where the entrance was completely blocked by wood and stone debris. We slowly began to swim forward, with every part of our bodies alert. Five meters in, the passage suddenly widened and vanished into the void. For a moment, I couldn’t grasp where I was from the shock. Lying flat in the passage that opened at a depth of 40 meters, we observed the chamber. (…) I estimated its size to be 15 by 15 meters.”
In the summer of 1975, under the direction of hydrogeologists from the Scientific Research Institute of Water Management, divers from the Amphora Scuba Diving Sports Club began the detailed exploration of the spring cave.
On October 30, 1977, István Plózer and his diving partner Ferenc Páli lost their lives during research in the spring cave of Lake Hévíz. In his memory, the Amphora Spring Cave is also referred to as the István Plózer Chamber.
Scientific research and monitoring continue in the spring cave to this day. Instruments placed deep below record the temperature of the springs every five minutes, and water sampling allows for the monitoring of the chemical composition of the incoming healing waters.
By analyzing these results, we can ensure that the water of Lake Hévíz continues to be of outstanding quality for our guests seeking healing.
(Source: Solt Péter - Az Amphora Búvár Klub kutatásai a Hévízi-tóban (Plózer István kutatóbúvár emlékére))
