Termas do Marobo

Marobo

The Termas do Marobo ( German thermal baths of Marobo ) are thermal baths that are located near hot springs in East Timor . You are in today Suco Ilat-Laun (Region Marobo , Office of Administration Bobonaro , community Bobonaro ), about five kilometers north of the town of Bobonaro .

history

The Sources (1970)

The Basin (1970)

The bath, which is fed by a hot spring, was created during the Portuguese colonial times. The Portuguese cavalry stationed in Bobonaro made it a habit to ride to the thermal baths once a week and bathe their horses in the hot water, which was very good for their skin.

During the Battle of Timor in World War II , parts of the Australian Sparrow Force operated in the region until the Japanese took control of the area in August 1942. After the withdrawal of the allied combat units in February 1943, Marobo became the recreation center of the Japanese army. During this time, additional buildings were built through forced labor, some of which are still in ruins today. The Japanese occupiers forced Timorese women from the area to work as comfort women in the bathroom . Marta Abu Bere, who was detained there for six months by the Japanese military, reported together with Esmeralda Boe in December 2000 at the "International Women's War Crimes Tribunal" in Tokyo about their experiences.

Overview

The Marobo region

The bath exists today is a tourist attraction. From the state capital Dili you need the whole day to reach the thermal baths by car via Gleno , Letefoho and Atsabe . To the southeast of the baths there are ruins of buildings from the colonial era. The pools and terraces of the baths themselves were renovated in 2016, after having been in ruins for decades. In addition to toilets and changing rooms, the pools now also have viewing platforms and picnic areas. Visitors are introduced to the local Kemak culture .

There are two hot springs that are 20 meters apart. In the first, the water is in a basin. It has a temperature of 47 ° C. 10 liters of water per second at a temperature of 46 ° C flow from the second spring. Calcite , gypsum, and sulfur sludge is deposited from the spring. Other sources name a temperature of up to 49 ° C and a water volume from all sources of around 2000 liters per minute. The water has a faint but distinct smell of sulfur and also contains large amounts of sodium and calcium . The area consists of Pliocene - Ainaro gravel with limestone that rises on ridges above the springs.

In the area there are some smaller waterfalls and picturesque river basins.