Health, Hedonism and Hypochondria

Delve into the history behind the glamorous baths and spas of Europe to reveal the hidden past of alternative treatments.

Popular with people from Romans to royalty and hypochondriacs to holiday-makers, natural water spas have been a common feature in society since the first century. Even today, we periodically abandon the cities to 'take the waters'.

In their heyday, Europe's spas were the main meeting places for aristocracy, politicians and cultural elites. They were the centres of political and diplomatic intrigue, and were fertile sources of artistic, literary and musical inspiration. The spas epitomised style and were renowned for their cosmopolitan atmosphere in a glittering whirl of balls, gambling and affairs, as much as for their healing waters.

Health, Hedonism and Hypochondria reveals the hidden histories of traditional spas of Europe, including such well-known resorts as the original Spa in Belgium; Bath, Buxton and Harrogate in Britain; Baden-Baden and Bad Ems in Germany; Vichy and Aix-les-Bains in France; Bad Ragaz in Switzerland; Bad Ischl and Baden bei Wien in Austria and Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázne in the Czech Republic.

At once luxurious sanctuaries of relaxation and resorts of the upper classes, these spas were also the haunts of melancholics, scoundrels and those seeking escape and excitement.

Auteur

Ian Bradley is Emeritus Professor of Cultural and Spiritual History at the University of St Andrews and a prolific author and broadcaster.

Texte du rabat

From Romans to royalty and hypochondriacs to holiday-makers, natural water spas have been a common feature in society since the first century. Even today, we periodically abandon the cities to 'take the waters'.

In their heyday, Europe's spas were the main meeting places for aristocracy, politicians and cultural elites. They were the centres of political and diplomatic intrigue, and were fertile sources of artistic, literary and musical inspiration. The spas epitomised style and were renowned for their cosmopolitan atmosphere in a glittering whirl of balls, gambling and affairs, as much as for their healing waters.

Health, Hedonism & Hypochondria reveals the hidden histories of traditional spas of Europe, including such well-known resorts as the original Spa in Belgium; Bath, Buxton & Harrogate in Britain; Baden-Baden & Bad Ems in Germany; Vichy & Aix-les-Bains in France; Bad Ragaz in Switzerland; Bad Ischl & Baden bei Wien in Austria and Karlovy Vary & Mariánské Lázne in the Czech Republic. At once luxurious sanctuaries of relaxation and resorts of the upper classes, they were also the haunts of melancholics, scoundrels and those seeking escape and excitement.

Contenu

Acknowledgements

Introduction - Der Kurschatten
1 Classical Origins
2 The Middle Ages - From Holy Wells to Stew Houses
3 The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries - the Birth of the Modern Medical Spa
4 The Eighteenth Century - the Emergence of Bath as the Model Spa
5 The Nineteenth Century - Baden-Baden Becomes the Boulevard of Europe
6 Hydrotherapy - a Short Sharp Douche of Cold Water
7 La Belle Époque - the Flourishing of Karlsbad and Marienbad
8 The Last hundred Years
Conclusion - Europe's Traditional Spas Today

Bibliography
Index