| Sulfur spas are in vogue these days, and the world, it seems, is swimming with a selection of them. But Bad Meinberg spa in Germany pays particular attention to health needs, a possible perfect solution for those with physically demanding jobs.
Horst Paulussen, director of the health resort, says Bad Meinberg offers a complete feeling of well-being. "Bad Meinberg is the middle-point of health," Paulussen says. "We hope to win the happiness of the spa guests." Although Bad Meinberg offers the usual swimming, saunas and massages, it also employs comprehensive care such as breathing exercises – using carbonic acid vapour – and hydraulic and electric therapy.
Bad Meinberg, which literally translated means "bath my mountain," is about 20 kilometres east of Detmold near the Teutoburger forest. The sulfur found in its moorland is the main ingredient in the spa treatments.
Several health disorders, Paulussen says, have been successfully treated here at Bad Meinberg, including rheumatism, heart and circulatory problems, bronchitis and nasal cavity inflammations, tinnitus (chronic ear noise) and some spinal injuries.
Whatever the ailment, a treatment program is predetermined during a meeting with one of the spa’s physicians. In fact, the spa conveys the appearance of a hospital with its sanitary white rooms.
The resort is comprised of different buildings that surround a pretty little pond complete with lily pads. On one end is the immaculately clean 30 C indoor and outdoor mineral swimming pool and on the other, near the resort entrance, is the equally clean theatre, which offers nightly concerts and plays. Perfecting the package, there is also a pristine golf course.
Once guests are worn out from workouts and warm baths, they can step onto a bus, destination Detmold, just a 10-minute drive away. The town has some unforgettable sights. The Hermannsdenkmal, for example, is a 55-metre tall monument built by Ernst von Bandel in 1875 marking the sight of a Roman battle that took place during the time of Christ. The statue is a monolithic likeness of "German liberator" Teutonic chief Hermann, donning a winged helmet and seven-metre sword.
Another stop is the awe-inspiring Adlerwarte, featuring more than 80 birds of prey. Falcons fly inches above the spectators' heads in exhibitions running from April to October at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. On weekends one can buy a cost-saving combination ticket for $15, which is valid at the Hermannsdenkmal, Adlerwarte and Vogel-und-Blumenpark (bird and flower park) with a free shuttle bus connecting all three.
Not far away is the highly recommendable Westfaelische Freilichtmuseum.
At this outdoor historical village, the largest in Germany, one dives into the Westfaelisch Lippische culture of the last 500 years. Covering more than 80 hectares of beautiful land are original buildings such as farm houses – with their attached stables – a working water fall and windmills. One can watch the shoemaker and baker at work and afterwards purchase the results. This is worth a visit. It is open from April until October daily, except Mondays, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The cost is $10 per person.
Another short bus ride away is the exquisite 13th-century Renaissance castle, the Fuerstliches Residenzschloss, which can only be seen by tour daily from April until October on the hour from noon until 5 p.m.
The town of Blomberg, equally close by bus, boasts Blomberg castle built by Bernhard III in 1231, with both gothic and Renaissance characteristics that are impressive.
For more information on Bad Meinberg and area phone: 011-49-5234-9010 or fax inquiries to: 011-49-5234-901217. Prices vary widely depending on the prescribed program. Plenty of comfortable and reasonably priced lodgings are also available just outside the resort. |
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