The ‘steamy’ side of Innsbruck

Walking into the entrance lobby is the first step towards escaping the turmoil of everyday life. Photo: Vil Joda

Turquoise-coloured tiles, grey stone and local red marble from Kramsach can be found in the ‘Dampfbad’, Innsbruck’s only Art Nouveau sauna. Photo: IKB

The tiled stove lends the spacious sauna a hint of Art Nouveau. Photo: IKB

Should no-one volunteer to do the honours, the smaller sauna has an automatic infusion system. Photo: IKB

Smallest of all is the eucalyptus sauna – great for clearing your nose! Photo: IKB

The white marble in the steam room is reminiscent of a Roman bath. The temperature is lower than in the sauna, but the air is very humid – good for the lungs. Photo: IKB

The ultramarine water of the cold water plunge pool is sometimes a life-saver after a sauna infusion. Photo: IKB

Three grey marble steeps lead down to the Kneipp water therapy basin and the historic Tiffany glass windows. Photo: IKB.

Drift and daydream in the warm-water pool, above which you can see typical Art Nouveau ornaments and an enchantingly beautiful glass dome. Photo: IKB

During the winter months a short spell after a sauna infusion doesn’t really feel too cold. You can relax and chill-out for longer periods here in spring, summer and autumn. Photo: IKB During the winter months a short spell in the open-air room after a sauna infusion doesn’t really feel too cold. You can relax and chill-out here for longer periods in spring, summer and autumn. Photo: IKB

Sometimes visitors here even fall asleep in the tranquillity room.

My honest opinion: The artist, a Tyrolean landsman, had a rather unusual interpretation of Art Nouveau. The colours, in my view, are too vivid for a chill-out room and the sharp-edged, pointed forms and shapes do not lend themselves to an atmosphere of peace and relaxation. The decoration does not really meet the criteria required of an Art Nouveau theme. Photo: IKB

Rubbing yourself with ice from the glass bowls in front of the showers and steam baths is wonderfully invigorating. Photo IKB Rubbing yourself with ice from the glass bowls in front of the showers and steam baths is wonderfully invigorating. Photo IKB

Fascinating detail from one of the showers. Photo: Vil Joda

Fossils are sometimes embedded in the Kramsach marble, like the snail fossil depicted here. Photo: Vil Joda

The weighing scales usually indicate way too much! So I just don’t stand on them any more… Photo: Vil Joda

On the left of the picture, behind the brass grill, is a radiator. The black button is part of the orientation system for blind people. Photo: Vil Joda

The pillars made of marble from Kramsach are adorned with a capital (column head) with beautiful stucco work. Photo: Vil Joda

Art Nouveau-style naked man in the outdoor area. Photo: Vil Joda

Art Nouveau-style naked woman in the open-air room. Photo: Vil Joda

The heavy door with the pointed arch is right next to the pay station. Photo: Vil Joda

I absolutely love this heavy marble bench. Photo: Vil Joda

My flat wouldn’t be big enough for the chandeliers in the entrance hall. Photo: Vil Joda

This is what it looked like in the buffet restaurant and, back then, there was also a barber shop. Photo: Vil Joda

Above you can see the wooden stairs that still look exactly the same today. Beneath is a sauna, but it has been modernised and no longer contains a spittoon! Photo: Vil Joda