Ettlingen in change: from the stench of the past to cleanliness today!

Ettlingen in change: from the stench of the past to cleanliness today!

Ettlingen, Deutschland - In Ettlingen, the past has left its mark on and not only in the form of beautiful half -timbered houses. A look back into 1818 shows that summer was not only hot for the residents, but also odor -intensive. A doctor reported on the unsanitary conditions that significantly impaired life in cities such as Ettlingen and Karlsruhe. The sensitive among the citizens in particular had to struggle with a lousy quality of life.

But how has the situation changed over the centuries? The stench of the cities, which was converting in the hot season, belongs to the past today. Nevertheless, the topic of hygiene remains an interesting chapter in city history. bnn.de reports that Ettlingen was considered a jewelry town in the 19th century, but still fought with a questionable hygiene standard.

a long history of hygiene changes

The transformation of personal hygiene and water use is still present today. While in Roman times you used an impressive 400 liters of water per person, today in Ettlingen there are only about 120 liters. Interestingly, 150 liters of virtual water are now needed to prepare a cup of coffee. 100 years ago, only a small part of the households had flowing water - a sign of how far we got.

An exciting exhibition entitled "Clean?", Which took place from September 12 to January 12, 2020, addressed this change in body care and the central role of water in everyday life. Visitors were able to track the story from the first traces of settlement in Ettlingen, which go back over 4000 years, to modern times. [Wochenblatt-reporter.de] (https://www.wochenblatt-reporter.de/ettlingen/c-auslegen-geniessen/sauber-kulturgeschichte-dens-und-der-koerhygiene in -ettlingen_a19925) describes how the River Alb was decisive for the settlement and development of the city, including a reconstructed Roman bathing facility, before almost 2000 years existed.

The legacy of the bathing and care culture

In the Middle Ages, the bathroom bar offered easy access to warm water and essential bathing experiences. But the fear of infection during the plague epidemics led to the closure of numerous bathrooms. In the 19th century, the hygienic conditions for the simple population were worrying, and there were significant improvements only around 1900. Technical developments in the sanitary area that originated in England finally also influenced bathing culture in Europe.

At the exhibition, visitors had the opportunity to experience various bathing and care products along a fragrance road. Historical bathing experiences could be followed - be it in a zinc tub or a clumsy toilet. Another highlight was the interactive game world for children and adults, which not only conveyed interesting facts over water and bathing, but also offered a lot of fun.

Ettlingen has not only developed in his architecture, but also in his hygiene and body care. Citizens can be proud of this story, because it shows how far we have come and that the handling of water is still very important today.