TREND: URBAN BATHHOUSES HEATING UP
Affordable, social, and accessible wellness is coming to a city near you
For centuries, the cleansing and healing power of water and heat has been harnessed to bring city dwellers together in the common pursuit of cleanliness. Early public bathhouses were fueled by mineral-rich waters warmed from the earth’s core, which bubbled up and not only cleansed, but also worked wonders on skin conditions and seemed to relieve pain and encourage rest and relaxation. Bathing in natural waters was referred to as “taking the cure,” and different waters were sought, depending on the type of “cure” needed.
As far back as the 7th century B.C., in Chinese history books, there are mentions of a “spring which contains sulfur to treat disease.” In Europe, buildings were often constructed around or on top of natural hot springs, like the famous, historical Bath Spa in England, UK, which was visited by Queen Anne in 1702 in an attempt to cure her persistent gout. Though the “cure” may have failed, her visit served to make Bath a celebrated destination for years.
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