“During the months of August, September and October, thousands of bathers from different parts of the country flock to Nazaré in search of health and rest […] It is healthy and cheerful […] The waters alone make Nazaré worth visiting.”
Thalassotherapy is far from being a modern-day pleasure. In Nazaré, the therapeutic use of seawater dates back to the late 19th century, when the custom of “taking the waters” for health and well-being began to develop. This led to the creation of Nazaré’s Hot Saltwater Baths, which became part of the bathing seasons enjoyed by society at the time. The oldest establishment dated back to 1888, but following extensive renovation work, by 1906 it had become an “elegant building”, equipped inside “with every modern comfort”, offering “attentive service from its staff and scrupulous cleanliness of the baths, linen and water”. Contemporary records stated that “there is nothing equal to it in the country, and it rivals the best establishments of its kind abroad […] Since its opening, it has been widely frequented by rheumatism sufferers, for whose ailments hot seawater baths are highly recommended, and the steadily increasing number of visitors from year to year is the most eloquent proof of their effectiveness. Not only do distinguished physicians recommend the use of these baths, but ordinary people too, spreading word of their virtues by word of mouth, come in their thousands with great enthusiasm to make use of these baths […]”. (Nazareth, 1913)