PASSION SPA

Who would have thought the global vogue word SPA originated in the 2,000-year-old bathing culture of ancient Rome? However unexciting it may be, SPA is simply a short form of the Latin "sanus per aquam" or "health through water."

Thermal spas can be traced back to the Stone Age, when our early ancestors recognized the benefits of natural thermal and mineral springs and learned to exploit them for their health. Under the influence of the advanced civilizations of ancient Rome and Greece the evidently primeval need to immerse oneself in water to enhance well-being, evolved into a sophisticated spa and bathing culture. While the Greeks - following in the footsteps of their gods and mythical heroes - largely favored cool, refreshing baths and water fountains after sweat-inducing combative and sporting activities, in the Orient and the Roman Empire countless water and healing treatments at pleasant temperatures were invented and practiced, many of which are still part of the standard repertoire modern SPA centers offer today.

The Roman Bathing Paradise
Hardly anyone thinks of ancient Rome when they stretch out luxuriously in thermal or therapeutic tubs. Yet we owe it to the visionaries and architects of Roman thermal spas that we have such a choice of wellness oases today. They were behind enormous, multi-purpose bathing landscapes offering a varied program of relaxation, sport and entertainment, and which within a short space of time became the centers of social life. Here you could swap the latest gossip in peace or pamper yourself with opulent dishes and drinks following exotic massages or therapeutic treatments. And a fair number of poets, musicians, philosophers and even artists found a large public there, though the attention they got varied.

As regards styling and equipment, the early spas would undoubtedly earn design awards today. Moreover, the colorful mosaics rich in imagery were not only a feast for the eyes but also acted as waterproofing for pools, floors, walls and ceilings. Thanks to a sophisticated underground heating system floors, rooms and pools offered guests pleasant temperatures, and meant they could enjoy steam baths and saunas. Every thermal spa offered at least one changing room, the apodyterium, a moderately warm resting room or tepedarium, as well as a steam-filled room or caldarium with hot water tubs. After this guests cooled off in the cold bath or frigidarium, which might be followed by a steam bath in a hot air room or laconium. An open swimming pool known as piscina or natatio and the palaestra, a kind of fitness room for physical training were indispensable basic facilities.

Arguably one of the most famous architectural monuments: the well preserved ruins of the Caracalla thermal baths. It is estimated Rome's second-largest bath house handled 6,000 to 8,000 guests a day. And aside from hairdressers, manicurists, and therapists offering massage and cosmetic treatments there was even an art gallery. Allegedly over 9,000 laborers were involved in its construction over a roughly five year period; an aqueduct was constructed to ensure an adequate water supply. The aqueduct fed into an enormous cistern system, and from here the water flowed at high pressure to the individual pools and fountains.

Titillating medieval tubs and bathing bliss
The widespread bathing culture in ancient Greece and Rome ended with the fall of the Roman Empire. During the mass migrations when Barbarians roamed the country many of the magnificent thermal spas were razed to the ground - physical cleanliness was scorned in such "circles" to say the least. It was not until the Middle Ages that the spa culture experienced what we would call a comeback. That said, the emphasis was less on the therapeutic effect of water and cultural exchange and more on eroticism and the satisfaction of various sensual pleasures. Depending on its size up to fifteen persons of box sexes were allowed in each tub where they joked around, ate, drank, sang and made music for up to several hours. As for the therapeutic effect of water, only steam baths were ascribed a beneficial effect, every other kind of splashing around was deemed pleasurable diversion. However, people liked to combine a visit to the baths with medical treatments, and indeed the range on offer was not inconsiderable from essences, ointments and remedies through to tooth extraction, cupping and treatment with leeches. But the lustful aspect of bathing finally climaxed in wild orgies and as such it was hardly surprising that syphilis and the Black Death put a temporary end to the bathing culture.

Princely times for therapeutic spas
Following many dry centuries in which more powdering than bathing went on, amazingly we owe it to the French kings in the 17th century that natural therapeutic and mineral spas in Europe regained importance again. And the health resorts and spa towns - the predecessors of today's luxury SPAs - experienced a veritable social revival. At the latest when Ludwig XIII, naturally accompanied by his entire retinue, visited the mineral spas of Forge-les-Eaux in 1633, spa towns become the meeting place for monarchy, nobility and the bourgeoisie. Alongside the rich and beautiful not only artists and philosophers felt drawn to tingling locations. Montaigne was a notable example: seeking relief from his gall bladder complaint (the French scholar, writer and inventor of the essay traveled extensively) trying various spas and making meticulous notes on their effect. (my addition)?? LB
Around the turn of the century the onetime thermal spas not only exuded elegance in appearance. Visiting spas was en vogue again. After therapeutic water treatments patients would stroll around romantic gardens or enjoy culinary delights accompanied by excellent service. The important thing was to see and be seen, and to demonstrate your wealth through coiffure, apparel, accessories and the right society. As was previously the case in ancient Rome spas once again became hubs of contemporary culture and architecture, and strongholds of gossip at court.

A thousand-and-one hamams
While in Europe the spa culture saw a revival, the oriental bathing houses set new standards in pleasurable hydrotherapy with the hamam or Turkish baths. Originally conceived as buildings adjoining mosques where the believers could cleanse themselves prior to prayer as regards layout the "hamams" resembled the Roman thermal spas.