A beautiful and beneficial rustic recreation of the acclaimed 18th century Alpine steam bath. Many years of detailed work in co-operation with scientists and historians have recreated this valuable cultural asset, carefully translated to fit our times.

THE HISTORY OF BRECHELBATH
During the early 18th century especially in the alpine region almost every large farm had a bath hut linked to the so-called “Brechelbath.” Due to the fire danger because of the heating it was the law to build the Brechelbath slightly away from the main building.

Historically the “Brechelbath” may have been a regional adaptation of experiences and reports of the returning crusaders. On their vast travels to the holy land the crusaders experienced the Islamic bath culture of the Middle East. This culture may have been the origin of the bath routine. Usually the Brechelbath was taken on the evening before the numerous religious holidays. Besides the physical cleaning and the accompanying rest in a fresh bedding of oat straw after the bath, it may also have been the idea that bad thoughts were washed away from body and soul of the bathing person – thus giving a new start physically and mentally. Technically the Brechelbath is an herbal steam bath with mild and rising temperature and humidity. Steam baths were designed to be very gentle to the circulatory system.

THE NAME BRECHELBATH – FARMER´S STEAM BATH
“Brechelbath” originates from breaking flax or hemp (“brecheln” is an old Bavarian word meaning breaking). In preparing the flax to create a fiber suitable for weaving linen, sometimes during the drying and steaming, herbs were added. Farmers noticed how wonderful the aroma was and how comfortable the climate felt inside of the room. In fact, old documents also report that sick people were wrapped with flax, hemp and herbs.

Due to laws stemming from the period’s morality concerns (of women and men bathing together), and also a concern for fire damage, the Brechelbath, slowly disappeared. Today Brechelbaths still stand aside of mostly large farms and are used as a tool shed, wood carving room or beehive. And if you ask the farmer today: “When are you taking a bath?” They answer: “Here never a bath was taken.“

THE BATHING PROCEDURE’S STEAM BATH
A square or rectangular room is equipped with wooden seats or benches being heated from below. The heated floor is covered with fir branches. The special steam stove is in the middle of the room. On this stove real herbs are steamed and the rising herbal steam penetrates the “Tschurtschenkorb” just below the ceiling. The “Tschurtschenkorb” is a metal basket filled with fir cones and branches of conifers. The herbal steam injections are released automatically at short intervals. Mechanically the herbal steam, which gathers on the ceiling, is pushed down along the side walls and reaches the back of the clients. These heat shots on the back are especially comfortable. The fir needles on the floor stimulate the foot reflex zones of the client as they walk on them.

BRECHELBATH – TECHNIQUE FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS

Wall panelling with wood beams, a surface like old wood
Covering of the ceiling with copper sheet metal
Seat base construction made of stainless steel with electrical
        heating and vertical wood covering
Original wooden seating benches
Dimmable illumination, connected to stove control
Switch cabinet with programmable control – Power 6,0 kW
Touch screen control panel
Steam distributor made of copper with fir cone basket
Stove cover with door and induction vent