Friedrichsbad is one of two spas located in the town of Baden-Baden. Both this historic 19th century spa and its neighbor, the contemporary Caracalla Therme are  located near one another in a park on the northern side of town. Both spas are temples of well-being where the natural thermal mineral-rich waters from twelve springs reach a temperature of 68 degrees Celsius/154 degrees Fahrenheit. The power of these waters was discovered by the Romans c. 80 AD when the bathing tradition here was influenced during the reign of Emperor Caracalla. The Caracalla Therme is large and modern, with around 3000 square meters/more than 32,000 square feet of space. Its facilities include a world-class spa, ArenaVita or Fitness World, and its CaraVitalis wellness therapies.  Of the two spas, Henry and I have always been drawn to Friedrichsbad’s more historic spa, the ambience and tradition of which dates back to 1877 when it was the most modern bathing establishment at that time in all of Europe. The elegant atmosphere includes vaulted ceilings, ceramic tiles, statuary, stained glass. There are various rooms with soaking pools  including a centrally located round pool beneath a high dome. The relaxing and enjoyable experience of this Roman-Irish Bath includes 17 stations that begin beneath arched shower heads and include a sequence of warm and hot baths, and rooms of saunas and vapors that gradually increase the body’s temperature. The ideal route through the various rooms is designed to increase circulation in a positive way to strengthen the immune system.   Optional treatments include a full body scrub exfoliating the body with soap and stiff brushes. The most delightful part of this therapeutic routine is the final rest station that takes place after being fully slathered with rich body lotion, wrapped in a warm sheet, and placed on a heated bed beneath blankets in a darkened room under a classical rotunda. The sleep that ensues is a deliciously deep, restorative rest that balances and refreshes the whole body, mind and spirit. The thought of this beckons the two of us to return once again for more.

PHOTOS: Top: Architecture of Friedrichsbad, constructed in 1877.  Bottom Three: 1. View of the Friedrichsbad entrance. 2. The park on which the spa stands, a sculpture in the Roman style. 3. View of the Friedrichsbad building.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                   BACK TO MAP  PAGE