Aigner Badl in Abfaltersbach

In the 18th century, the beneficial or even healing effect of water from mineral springs was discovered, and soon spa and health resorts became very fashionable among the nobility. The spa towns that still exist for the most part today are established and visited by the 'fine society', the nobility, and the upper middle class. For the majority of the population, the simple bourgeoisie or the peasants, these noble spa towns are unattainable. On the one hand, the existing social differences prevent access, on the other hand, it is the prohibitively high costs for travel and accommodation that make a spa or bathing stay impossible.

In response, the so-called farmers' baths are created, among others in Tyrol and Carinthia. They are not visited by the nobility, but by the local population of the surrounding area. For bath guests who travel from further away, there are also simple overnight accommodations, the bedding is usually brought along. The food is also brought along to keep costs low. The 'spa seasons' are based on the rural work rhythm, 'peak season' is in early summer and in autumn after the harvest.

It is located in a tranquil grove near the Drava river only about 100 m from the Drava Cycle Path and has its own mineral spring. The house, covered with wooden shingles, was saved from decay in the 1990s and carefully renovated and is now under monument protection. The bathing operation is still ongoing, and you can also take a Kneipp cure on the newly created Kneipp trail below the bathhouse. The snack station is especially popular with cyclists.

The water of the mineral spring was officially classified as medicinal water by the Institute of Physiology and Balneology of the University of Innsbruck. As in the 'good old days', you bathe here in tubs made of larch wood and with a lid. The baths with the calcium sulfate mineral medicinal water are extremely soothing and effective for joint pain, rheumatism, or gout. It is also healing for skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis, which is why the Aigner Badl used to have the unflattering name 'Scabies Bath'. The Aigner Badl is open daily from the end of May to the end of September. It is a historical gem that you should definitely visit and best try out for yourself.