Geothermal Energy in Human History, Culture, and Practices – Selected Highlights

In everyday practice, geothermal energy is treated both by us professionals, and regular users as one of renewable energy sources. Although we tend to concentrate on its utility and technical value, geothermal is also part of our civilization and history. Therefore, it is worthwhile to spend some time investigating this kind of energy to learn its role and place in historical and cultural heritage of the World. This lecture is the result of personal interest of the author in geothermal in view of its technical, natural and also humanist and social aspects, which allure new geothermal enthusiasts, and inspire specialists with new ideas. The gathered knowledge not only demonstrates the variety of relations between man and energy of the Earth, but also to the beauty and unique character of this element of our Planet.