Bathing-Bathing in Baden-Baden
American novelist Mark Twain once said in a letter to a friend, "Here at the Friedrichsbad you lose track of time within ten minutes and track of the world within twenty...". While I haven't been inside the Roman baths, I can definitely say this is true of my overall European experience to date.
Last Friday we headed to Germany bright and early to take a walking tour (guided by my amazing classmates!) of Baden-Baden, a spa town located near the Black Forest. The German word Baden means "to bathe", and the city's springs have been used to alleviate health problems and relax its bathers since Romans used them in the second century.
The thermal water comes from over six thousand feet below the earth's surface and flows at temperatures between 50°C - 70°C. While visiting there is the opportunity to see 2000 year old bath ruins or thermae, facilities that the ancient Romans used not only for bathing but also for socializing. The springs were also believed to have been blessed by the gods to cure diseases, and valuable items were often thrown in the water to please them. At other locations, altars were even built to allow for animal sacrifices.
Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to bathe at any of the spas in Baden-Baden, but it is relatively close so another day-trip might be in order! It couldn't hurt with all of the stresses of European living I've been suffering through - wine and cheese tastings, casino demonstrations and weekend excursions can really take their toll...
Tomorrow a few of us are off to Prague; I'm looking forward to a long weekend of wandering the city and meeting new people! Life is beautiful.
Last Friday we headed to Germany bright and early to take a walking tour (guided by my amazing classmates!) of Baden-Baden, a spa town located near the Black Forest. The German word Baden means "to bathe", and the city's springs have been used to alleviate health problems and relax its bathers since Romans used them in the second century.
Facade of Friedrichsbad, taken during our super fun walking tour!
The thermal water comes from over six thousand feet below the earth's surface and flows at temperatures between 50°C - 70°C. While visiting there is the opportunity to see 2000 year old bath ruins or thermae, facilities that the ancient Romans used not only for bathing but also for socializing. The springs were also believed to have been blessed by the gods to cure diseases, and valuable items were often thrown in the water to please them. At other locations, altars were even built to allow for animal sacrifices.
Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to bathe at any of the spas in Baden-Baden, but it is relatively close so another day-trip might be in order! It couldn't hurt with all of the stresses of European living I've been suffering through - wine and cheese tastings, casino demonstrations and weekend excursions can really take their toll...
Tomorrow a few of us are off to Prague; I'm looking forward to a long weekend of wandering the city and meeting new people! Life is beautiful.
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