{"id":22335,"date":"2022-11-06T11:04:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-06T10:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/?p=22335"},"modified":"2022-10-28T11:13:57","modified_gmt":"2022-10-28T09:13:57","slug":"bad-wildungen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/germany\/hesse\/waldecker-land\/bad-wildungen\/","title":{"rendered":"Bad Wildungen – a spa town with tradition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The spa town of Bad Wildungen is located at the foothills of the Kellerwald. The town is one of the largest rehabilitation and spa locations in Germany, but also offers the ideal starting point for excursions into the Waldecker Land region away from the daily routine of the clinic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Bad Wildungen became famous for its healing springs and attracted the first people looking for a cure as early as 1350. Today, there are more than 20 clinics in the town that offer the most modern therapies to help patients regenerate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bad<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The spa gardens in Bad Wildungen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The town’s beautiful spa park is considered the longest spa park in Europe and invites you to take relaxing walks. The grounds are a good 6 kilometres long and connect Bad Wildungen with the district of Reinhardtshausen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Parkanlage\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The spa park is also popular for walking and jogging. There are 11 landscaped terrain cure trails that help to get fit again. These paths vary in length and also have different degrees of difficulty (e.g. gradients). Moderate walking in combination with the climatic conditions in the region should help to increase performance. In addition, there are 6 signposted running trails (circuits) with a length of 1200 to 8400 metres and total ascents of 19 to 134 metres in altitude. Here, recreational runners can specifically train their endurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the majority of visitors to the spa park use the paths for strolling, taking a break on the benches and loungers and enjoying the beautiful parkland with its diverse nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Teich<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Buildings in the spa gardens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the spa park there are several buildings like those found in many spa resorts. These were renovated and repaired from 1949 onwards by the government building director Rappold. During the Second World War, the entire complex had suffered greatly. For example, the spa park had been used as a kind of car park for trucks and tanks, and trucks had even driven through the Wandelhalle. Today, the buildings are listed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work began in 1949 in the old Badehotel, a building complex that is now part of the Maritim Hotel Bad Wildungen<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Konzertmuschel<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On my walk through the Kurpark, I was first drawn to the concert shell (1954). This is used for concerts and lends a maritime flair. Below the concert shell is a small lake with a fountain, a family of swans waddled past me as I made my way towards the Kurpark caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Geb\u00e4ude<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Kurpark Caf\u00e9 is a typical building of the 1950s; the old hall had to be demolished due to severe damage. The bright open fa\u00e7ade faces the Kurpark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wandelhalle<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Not far away is the Wandelhalle. It was built in 1888 as a cast-iron Wandelhalle around the Georg Viktor spring. In the course of the redesign, the ambulatory was closed and the interior was made usable. Today it houses a museum on the subject of healing springs, event rooms, an information centre and a room in which the water from three healing springs bubbles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthy water – does it taste good?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are 15 springs in Bad Wildungen from which the healing water bubbles. Treatments include kidney, bladder and urinary tract disorders, metabolic diseases and circulatory problems. I have to admit that after tasting the healing water in Karlovy Vary<\/a> in the Czech Republic, I was rather sceptical about the taste of the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The springs are not only located in the spa park, but also along paths in the middle of nature. It is best to always take a cup with you on your walks to drink the healthy water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healing water is one of the oldest natural remedies and can positively influence the healing process and well-being. Each of the springs that rise in Bad Wildungen has a different mineral composition and so there are a variety of possible applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Wandelhalle<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the spring dome of the Wandelhalle, you can drink three different medicinal waters from different sources. It is important to note that even if the water has purely natural ingredients, you should talk to a doctor before taking a drinking cure or regularly drinking water from medicinal springs. Even “too much” of minerals can be harmful to the body. Especially if you are deficient in certain minerals such as iron or magnesium, you should consult a doctor to find out which spring is the right one and how often you should drink it. Special glasses with measuring units help to determine the amount. Traditionally, healing water is drunk in small sips and while “walking” (strolling). This way, the water flushes the body well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking water in the spring dome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I went into the spring dome and was very surprised at what awaited me there. Each spring could be tapped at a very modern “water dispenser”. Small plastic cups were available and there was also an extra container for “too much” water. The whole room was equipped with mirrors and very stylish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Quellendom<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Of course I had to try the three sources, of course only one sip at a time, because I had not sought medical advice beforehand.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Three Springs in the Spring Dome<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In 1378, the Georg Viktor spring was discovered in Bad Wildungen and the Wandelhalle was later built around this spring. The natural healing water is a magnesium-calcium-hydrogen carbonate acidulant. It is used, among other things, for urinary tract disorders and to promote digestion. I was very surprised when I read what quantities one should drink daily according to medical prescription – up to 1.5 litres! My test sip surprised me. The water contains carbonic acid and did not taste bad at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second spring I tried was the Waldquelle. This was first drilled in 1958, but the water has only been used since 1963. The water comes from a depth of 250 metres. This water contains other minerals (calcium magnesium sodium hydrogen carbonate acidulose) and is used to improve the calcium and magnesium supply, among other things. One should drink 1-2 litres per day. Here, too, I was pleasantly surprised by the test sip, even though I can imagine that with the amount of water needed, one would prefer to drink something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Zapfanlage<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Finally, I tasted the water from the Helenenquelle spring, which was named after Princess Helene of Waldeck. The spring was first enclosed in 1696. The healing water is a sodium-magnesium-calcium-hydrogen carbonate-chloride acidulant and is recommended, for example, for gastrointestinal complaints. The amount of water recommended by doctors is 1.5-2.5 litres a day. Maybe I didn’t taste much after the two previous samples, but I couldn’t tell a clear difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All three medicinal water samples were in any case much more pleasant in taste than the samples I tasted in Karlovy Vary. The water was cold, fresh and did not taste as musty as in the Czech Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walk through the Golden Gardens of Bad Wildungen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2006, the Hessian State Garden Show took place in Bad Wildungen. The existing spa park was extended to include a new area that offers space for sports as well as relaxation. Two renaturalised stream valleys were used to create a connection that ended below Friedrichstein Castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sonnentreppe<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coming from the spa park, you cross a road and go down the sun stairs. There you will find the “Golden Gardens”, which are intended to remind you of the heyday of the spa around 1900. Below a retaining wall are salons and cabinets enclosed by hedges with different themes. Fortunately there were some signs, because I would not have realised from the planting that the four human qualities of virtue, pleasure, leisure and vanity and the themes such as transience, eternity and return are depicted there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kabinett<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As an example, I looked at the Cabinet of Virtue and the Cabinet of Pleasure. Virtue is depicted with a garden surrounded by thorns and a four-poster bed surrounded by roses. It is supposed to symbolise the decision whether to succumb to temptation or remain virtuous. In the Cabinet of Pleasure, the male meets the female world. The male half is depicted straight-lined, in cool colours, upright angular. The female half is characterised by lush vegetation, strong colours and a soft curved wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Goldene<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My favourite place, however, was the Cabinet of Leisure. Lying on one of the white cloud loungers, I came much closer to the description that one should recharge one’s batteries here, and the possibility to look at things from a distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"wei\u00dfe<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you continue along the path through the well-maintained green space, you will come to the experience gardens, where the 5 senses are to be addressed, a boules court, a sports field and a meadow orchard. Crossing a wooden footbridge, you finally reach the path that leads up to Friedrichstein Castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Fu\u00dfweg<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Through the forest to Friedrichstein Castle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

High up on the Schlossberg hill in Bad Wildungen is Friedrichstein Castle. The footpath to the castle leads on steep paths through the wooded hill. A very beautiful, albeit strenuous, way uphill, which was rewarded in between again and again with a beautiful view over the town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Schloss<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Count of Thuringia had a Gothic castle built on the 303-metre-high mountain in 1200. Through his marriage, he had become the Count of Wildungen and the castle served as his official residence, administration and jurisdiction over his land. In 1260, the property passed to the Counts of Waldeck. In 1663, the castle began to be converted into a Baroque palace. Over the years, each inhabitant incorporated his or her own tastes and wishes into smaller and larger alterations to the castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Eingang<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After the First World War, the estate went to the Free State of Waldeck. The living quarters were leased out, a hotel moved in and from 1921 there was a youth hostel of the Hessian Mountain Association in the lower rooms. In the 1930s, the NSDAP used the castle as a training centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Second World War, the state of Hesse took over the castle and today it houses the hunting museum. In addition, there is a caf\u00e9 in the building that also uses a large terrace in front of the south wing, from which you have a fantastic view of the old town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Blick<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Half-timbered houses and Brunnenallee – the contrasts of Bad Wildungen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The townscape of Bad Wildungen is characterised by two different stylistic eras. Strolling through the old town, you are surrounded by beautiful half-timbered houses. Some of the houses date back to the 16th and 17th centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Altstadt<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Town church in the old town<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The steeple of the Protestant town church is clearly visible in the town. The church stands on the highest point of the town hill and you should not miss taking a look inside the nave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Blick<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Wildung altar is the most valuable piece of equipment. The winged altar dates from 1403 or 1404 (unfortunately, the exact number is no longer legible in the inscription) and was created by Conrad von Soest. It is considered one of the most important works of German panel painting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Altar<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When opened, the altar measures 189 \u00d7 611 cm and is beautifully painted. On the outside of the wings are depictions of St. Catherine, St. John, St. Elizabeth and St. Nicholas. The inner wings show images of the Childhood and the Passion of Christ and the Crucifixion in the centre. I find it particularly exciting that one of the pictures shows a person wearing glasses. It is said to be the oldest depiction of glasses north of the Alps and I have to admit that I would not have known that glasses already existed around 1403.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brunnenallee<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Brunnenallee is about one kilometre long and is considered the city’s hotel and promenade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n