Publications
Die Stadtgartenvilla in Baden – Geschichte, Nutzung und Zukunftsperspektiven eines kurstädtischen Wohnraums
A denkmalpflegerisches Sanierungs- und Nachnutzungskonzept for the Stadtgartenvilla in Baden, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Great Spa Towns of Europe,' demonstrates that restoring historical structures can simultaneously preserve cultural heritage and meet modern urban needs. The study highlights the tension between the villa's original design and recent alterations while proposing a multifunctional reuse strategy that integrates gärtnerischen operations, administrative functions, and seasonal public events in the Palmenhaus. By emphasizing reversibility and adherence to historical spatial configurations, the concept enhances both the monument's value and its adaptability for contemporary use.
HBIM for heritage enhancement- efficient use of the HBIM workflow for UNESCO heritage management and adaptive reuse of the Heiligenkreuzerhof in Baden bei Wien
A structured four-stage HBIM (Heritage Building Information Modelling) workflow can bridge the gap between digital documentation and adaptive reuse, offering a replicable method for managing UNESCO-listed heritage sites. This approach integrates deep documentation, stakeholder engagement, conceptual development, and evidence-based decision-making, as demonstrated in a case study of the Heiligenkreuzerhof in Baden bei Wien—a historic building facing challenges despite comprehensive restoration. The workflow combines laser scan data, archival sources, on-site inspections, and expert interviews to create a multidimensional Revit model that serves as both a digital archive and planning tool. While technical complexities persist, HBIM proves most valuable when used as a participatory instrument rather than a standalone product. Key barriers to broader adoption include institutional hurdles such as regulatory gaps and limited interdisciplinary awareness of HBIM's potential in small-scale heritage projects.
Public Bath Landscapes and Urban Water Practices: From Central Spa Settlements to Embedded Hammam Structures
European spa towns and Ottoman hammams differ fundamentally in their spatial organization, architectural typology, social accessibility, and cultural meaning, challenging the settlement-based model of bathing heritage. While European spa settlements are planned around health-oriented leisure practices with centralized structures, hammams in Ottoman cities are distributed and embedded within neighborhoods, külliye complexes, and waqf systems, reflecting a more integrated approach to urban life. This comparative study, using morphological analysis, historical mapping, and critical reading of UNESCO nomination frameworks, highlights the need for plural, context-sensitive interpretative frameworks in heritage studies that move beyond settlement-based approaches. It underscores how bathing traditions shape environmental relationships between built form, resource use, and everyday health routines.
World Heritage Value and Contemporary Significance of German-Speaking Kurtowns: A Study of Four Inscribed Cities
Four German-speaking spa towns—Baden bei Wien (Austria), Bad Ems, Baden-Baden, and Bad Kissingen (Germany)—demonstrate how natural thermal waters shaped complex urban cultures that blend healing, architecture, diplomacy, and art. These cities, inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2021 for their outstanding universal value (OUV), developed unique identities through specialized therapeutic practices, innovative urban planning, and roles as centers of social interaction and international diplomacy. Their landscapes—integrating forests, valleys, and waterways—created healing environments, while architectural innovations like spa houses, parks, and casinos merged with medical advancements to form systematic 'cure cultures.' Each town’s distinct evolution—rooted in royal patronage (Baden bei Wien), political diplomacy (Bad Ems), elite social life (Baden-Baden), or medicinal traditions (Bad Kissingen)—illustrates their enduring significance. The study confirms these sites meet UNESCO criteria for authenticity and integrity, positioning them as key models for sustainable urban development and wellness tourism today.
From heritage sites to healing spaces : a therapeutic landscape approach to heritage management in Baile Govora, Romania
Heritage conservation in historic spa resorts can be effectively linked to contemporary health and wellness practices, offering opportunities for community revitalization. This study demonstrates that Băile Govora, Romania—a deteriorating spa town—can leverage its therapeutic landscape attributes to innovate spa tourism while preserving cultural heritage. Through a case study of the Govora Heritage Lab program, implemented by a local NGO, the research illustrates how integrating heritage management with health initiatives can address economic and social challenges post-1989. The approach draws parallels with UNESCO’s Great Spa Towns of Europe, emphasizing the potential for heritage assets to foster sustainable development in declining spa destinations.
Europe's famous spa towns - the long road to the World Heritage List
Eleven European spa towns, representing the best examples of their unique urbanistic and architectural typology, were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in July 2021. These towns—Františkovy Lázně, Karlovy Vary, and Mariánské Lázně (Czech Republic); Baden bei Wien (Austria); Bad Ems, Bad Kissingen, and Baden-Baden (Germany); Spa (Belgium); Montecatini Terme (Italy); Vichy (France); and Bath (UK)—developed around mineral springs and boast meticulously landscaped spa environments integral to their therapeutic routines. The study traces the two-decade journey of this international nomination, highlighting the challenges and achievements in recognizing these sites for their cultural significance.
Great spa towns of Europe as an urban phenomenon
The Great Spa Towns of Europe, comprising 11 historic spa towns across seven European countries, represent a unique urban phenomenon characterized by their distinctive urbanism and balneological landscapes. Despite extensive documentation submitted for UNESCO World Heritage recognition—spanning over 1,500 pages—the nuanced similarities and differences in their development were scattered, making comprehensive analysis challenging. This study synthesizes these aspects, highlighting the evolutionary connections that define these towns' urban and spa landscapes. By integrating historical, social, and balneological perspectives, it offers a cohesive framework for understanding their cultural significance.
Esteban Castañer Muñoz, Laurent Jalabert et Nicolas Meynen (dirs.), Thermalisme et patrimoines dans les zones de montagne en Europe du xviiie au
Eleven European spa towns, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the designation 'The Great Spa Towns of Europe,' exemplify a unique cultural phenomenon that flourished from the 18th century to the 1930s. These sites represent an innovative urban model characterized by therapeutic and recreational buildings integrated into a distinctive thermal environment. The recognition highlights their historical significance, marking a pivotal moment in the preservation of European spa culture as part of global heritage.
Facebook Promotion of the Great Spa Towns of Europe by the NTOs
Research reveals that National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) of the UNESCO-listed Great Spa Towns of Europe rarely promote spa & wellness tourism on Facebook, with only Belgium and Czechia highlighting these destinations among their posts. Analyzing three years of data from 11 towns across seven countries, the study found significant disparities in promotion, with some NTOs entirely omitting references to their Great Spa Towns. This suggests a missed opportunity for leveraging social media to boost spa tourism, despite its cultural and heritage significance.
Bath Beyond 2020: Creating a Resilient Economy Together: A Situation Report
Bath, UK, faces significant economic and social challenges post-COVID-19 and Brexit, including affordable housing shortages, working poverty, and a weakened tourist economy. The report highlights that Bath's public sector, particularly its universities and NHS, plays a crucial role in driving local employment (37% of jobs) and resilience. To foster inclusive and sustainable growth, the study recommends leveraging anchor institutions—such as the University of Bath—to lead collaborative strategies, expand green job opportunities, and implement evidence-based policies aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key actions include increasing affordable housing, subsidizing public transport, and developing regional economic clusters in healthcare, creative/digital technologies, and green sectors. The report emphasizes the need for 'place-based' governance to address local disparities and strengthen Bath's competitiveness through regional collaboration.
Estaciones termales europees: entre la ciudad y el territorio
European spa towns, particularly those that flourished as tourist destinations during the 19th century, exhibit unique urban structures shaped by their thermal territories. These enclaves often feature key architectural and urban developments located at the boundary between city and landscape, providing critical insights into their historical growth and territorial relationships. The study highlights how these spa towns' special qualities have made them enduringly attractive, influencing both urban planning and landscape integration over time.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > The Great Spa Towns of Europe