On 12 February 1983, the American oil company Texaco drilled 2,350 metres (7,710 ft) below ground, just outside the town of Erding, Bavaria, Germany.

Initially a 'mini thermal bath complex' was constructed on the site, and then the foundation stone of Therme Erding was finally laid on 10 November 1998, and it was officially opened on 3 October 1999.

The newly expanded "Saunaparadies" reopened the same day which, with an area of 12,900 square metres (139,000 sq ft), became the largest sauna complex in the world.

[3] Both these extensions meant that Therme Erding more than doubled in size, increasing from 70,000 to 145,000 square metres (750,000 to 1,560,000 sq ft).

The waterslide park "Galaxy" is covered by a 25-metre (82 ft) high metal dome, which can be half-opened in the summer months.

Huge expansion work is planned for 2012, to the east of the current "Galaxy" (towards Altenerding), and will have ten new slides with a combined length of over 2,750 metres (9,020 ft).

[8] In September 2008, three health pools were opened, which are enriched with minerals from the Dead Sea, such as selenium and calcium.

The Saunaparadies's main building lies beneath a 60-by-40-metre (200 by 130 ft) large glass roof which can be fully opened in nice weather.

However, often due to misconduct, there have been significant injuries, leading to broken bones[13] and two disjointed fingers.

Wider media coverage was attracted by the case of a 16-year-old boy who injured himself on a bouncy castle outside.