History of Burgerbad

The baths were initially laid out very simply with ditches dug out very close to the warm springs serving both man and beast. The old bath is known from as far back as 1544, when it still had no roof and was used seperately by men and women. The baths remained very simple affairs until the 18th century when proper baths with much greater comfort were finally built.

Large baths for 40 persons or individual baths can be found. Back then, one of the pool attendant's jobs was to supervise the changing rooms and to be very strict if a person of the opposite gender "got lost" in a changing room. Showers were used - like underwater massages today - for curative massages of specific body parts, with one "shower session" lasting up to half an hour.

The baths of Leukerbad even were an affair of state : In 1825, a decree was issued by the Canton of Valais, which appointed somebody "inspector". This person's job was to check the temperature of the water - together with some doctors - and to ensure cleanness in the bath areas. The decree even gave the pool attendant the right to call the police if this was necessary. Even the way people had to dress in order to have access to baths was regulated by a dress code : each guest had to wear a wide, long-tailed shirt, made of wool or a similar fabric. If the shirt was a few inches too short, a fine of Fr. 2.- had to be paid.