Germany’s spa culture
Ever since the Roman emperor Caracalla cured his arthritis by bathing in the hot springs of Baden Baden, Germany has been known as a centre of spa culture. The modern-day Caracalla thermal baths, named after the emperor, is a popular place to relax in this town on the edge of the Black Forest. However, the best setting in which to bathe here is the Friedrichsbad, where visitors can relive days gone by surrounded by frescoes, marble and decorative tiles that hark back to the Classical era.
The town’s baths are easily accessed from Wertheim Village, just a few hours’ drive away, and are fed by piping-hot mineral waters that flow up through volcanic rocks deep underground, just as they did when the Romans first built a spa here two thousand years ago. As in many German spas, clothing is left behind at the Friedrichsbad – so be prepared to bathe bare as the mineral-rich waters soothe tired limbs and calm stressed-out souls in an assortment of steaming chambers, hot and cold showers, and hot spring baths.
Despite their Roman beginnings, it was not until the Belle Époque that Baden Baden’s springs gained their international reputation. During that time the town was considered a chic summer getaway by the European aristocracy, and today its combination of healing springs, exclusive hotels, parks and gardens maintains its fashionable status.
Within striking distance of Ingolstadt Village and close to the border with Austria is another of Germany’s most popular spa towns, Bad Füssing. Spring water was first discovered here during the 1930s, when investigations for oil unintentionally caused 56 degree centigrade water to well up from the deep. The town now contains a vast complex of bubble, sulphur and other soothing pools – and many come here to spend a day, or several days, dipping in and out of the saunas and mineral pools, taking treatments and generally improving their wellbeing.
As in Roman times, water remains the focus for German spa resorts. It is sometimes said that the word spa derives from the Latin phrase ‘salus per aqua’, which means ‘health through water,’ although another explanation connects it with the Belgian town of Spa, where Roman legionaries bathed their battle wounds in the hot spring waters. But, whichever of these is true, it was in Germany rather than Belgium that the concept of modern health resorts was popularised. This was largely due to German medical experts writing about the value of therapeutic springs as part of a healthy lifestyle. A key figure in this was a priest, Father Sebastien Kneipp, who established a health tradition in the Allgäu region of Bavaria – the self-proclaimed ‘Region of Vitality’ – focused on Mother Nature’s blessings, alongside physical exercise amid the nearby gentle mountain peaks, gurgling streams and alpine meadows. Modern Kneipp treatments still follow his principles, featuring local ingredients such as wild berries, alpine plants and edelweiss. Combined with wonderfully fresh mountain air (locals claim it is cleaner here than anywhere in the country), you’ll feel like your body and mind has had its very own spring clean.
There is a huge diversity of treatments and remedies to be tried during a German spa break, including mud and clay treatments (peloids), alongside international practices such as ayurveda and yoga. The interaction between the body, mind, soul and environment is at the heart of each resort – and spa gardens and parks surround many. The grand architecture of spa buildings is complemented by arts and cultural programmes held in many spa towns.
And there are plenty of locations to choose from, with more than 350 approved spas and health resorts in Germany. Some of these are near the Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages, including Wiesbaden, the ‘city of health’ where all manner of ailments can be alleviated by taking the saline waters of its 26 hot springs. Another, close to Wertheim Village, is Bad Mergentheim, the largest spa town in the Baden-Württemberg region. It’s known as a Metabolism Spa Centre, with four mineral springs providing water for drinking and bathing. Salts, sulphates and other natural ingredients in the water have plenty of remedial benefits, while a Japanese garden, rose garden and lavender fields comprise some of Germany’s most delightful spa gardens – where patients can gather their strength.
To the northeast of Wertheim Village is another, Bad Kissingen, an approved mineral and mud spa since 1883 that has evolved into a modern health resort, with 23 sanatoriums, nine private clinics and numerous other health and rehabilitation facilities. It was officially designated as a spa resort by Bavaria’s ‘fairytale king’ Ludwig II and has attracted guests including royalty, politicians, musicians and writers over the years. The spa’s massage pools and sauna facilities include freezing rain and tropical downpours among its wellbeing therapies.
Across Germany there are spas offering treatments for virtually everything. Hot springs can help with joint pain, rheumatism, relieving tension in the muscles, and giving the skin a rosy glow. Drinking mineral water adds further benefits, alleviating high blood pressure by stimulating the flow of blood through the arteries and increasing the oxygen supply.
But whether you choose to visit a day spa for an instant hit of relaxation, a getaway spa for a weekend detox or a medical spa to counter a long-term malady, you’ll be continuing a proud and longstanding spa tradition.
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01-12-2011
