The spa park of Bad Orb

As early as Roman occupation times, the Rhine-Main region had places where hot and salty springs were used. One of them is Aquae Mattiacorum (today: Wiesbaden, the capital of Hesse). Medical bathing treatments also existed in the Middle Ages and early modern times. From 1800 onwards, modern bathing establishments were built, but mainly for the upper classes. This can be seen in the architecture and structure of the bathing resorts. In addition to the bathing facilities, accommodations and clinics, the recreational offerings as strolling halls and parks with casinos, theaters and luxury facilities were aimed at a wealthy part of the population. Spacious parks as places to stay and relax are often attached to the bathing facilities.

This is also the case in the small spa town of Bad Orb. After salt production became unprofitable in the nineteenth century, a medical bathing establishment was built around the salty water in the valley of the small river Orb.

Accordingly, the spa park also shows typical signs of such a park. The park, which is about 100 years old, is a typical landscape park with recreational facilities for spa guests. A reading hall, walking paths with flower beds and a concert shell for spa concerts as well as the open-air inhalatorium of the historical graduation works can be found to the right and left of the banks of the Orb River. The park is lined by restaurants, residential buildings and the thermal bath.

At the edge of the park begins the barefoot path through the landscape of the Orb Valley, which is especially popular with families. With a length of 4.5 km, it is the longest barefoot trail in Germany. Without shoes, you can walk on various surfaces through forest and meadow. Partly the path also leads in the streambed of the Orb or through swampy sections.