It's Not Bad At All (German Spa Towns)

In years past, the American military were stationed in various locations that were German spa towns such as Bad Kreuznach, Bad Aibling, Bad Kissingen, and Bad Tölz.  Those towns weren't "bad" at all - they were a designated Bad (spa or resort) town.  When my dad was stationed at Wildflecken (affectionately known as "Wild Chicken") as a civilian employee, we lived in a town called Bad Brückenau.  It was a wonderful place to live (sadly, I was in college during those years and was only able to visit in the summer and at Christmas).

Anyway, these spa towns can be found all over Germany usually near some source of mineral spring water, with parks where one can take in the clean air and partake of relaxing treatments such as hydrotherapy, hot-cold baths, saunas, massage, Kneipp wading pools, and inhalatoriums (Grandierwerke), which produce saline-droplets that create an atmosphere much like sea air.

Being sent to the spa for Kur (a course of treatment, a cure) can be for preventative reasons, treatment, or recovery after an illness.  There are even Abmagerungskur for dieters.  (Abmagerung means weight loss; ironcially it is the same word used to define emaciation!)  Kur is often prescribed by a doctor and is covered by the German healthcare system.  Not a bad idea ....

Bad towns are very lovely.  Here are a few that I have visited (and as I come across more pictures, I will add more):

As I mentioned, my parents lived in Bad Brückenau for a few years, located in Northern Bavaria in the Bad Kissingen region.  Its curative waters are horribly sour tasting, but it was a favorite of Bavarian King Ludwig I, who funded some renovation of the town in the mid 1800's.

Bad Homburg is near Frankfurt, on the southern slope of the Taunus Mountains.  It is officially known as Bad Homburg von der Hoehe ("before the heights") to distinguish it from other towns called Bad Homburg.  This Bad Homburg is one of the wealthiest towns in Germany!  It boasts that it has Champagnerluft (Champagne air).  It also has a casino in the park.

Russian nobility particularly favored Bad Homburg, and there is a Russian chapel nearby, an Eastern Orthodox church, built in 1896.   (pictured above)

Bad Mergentheim is located in the Main-Tauber (Rivers) district of Baden-Würtenberg; it was recognized as a spa town in 1926.  Most interestingly (in my opinion!) is that this town was the headquarters of the Teutonic Order from 1526 until 1809.  Teutonic knights, as the members were called, were a voluntary military mercenary group who protected Christians on their pilgrimages to the Holy Land and in the Baltic regions, as well as often worked to establish hospitals.  

Bad Mergentheim as a Ordensmuseum (a museum of the Teutonic Order) located in the medieval castle that was once the home base of the German Teutonic knights.  The picture above was taken in Bad Mergentheim's market square.  

Have you visited a BAD town?  If so, I hope your experience was good!   :) 

.