In the spirit of "being on vacation in 2020", let's talk about this radioactive spa hotel I visited a while ago.
In the spirit of "being on vacation in 2020", let's talk about this radioactive spa hotel I visited a while ago.
In the spirit of "being on vacation in 2020", let's talk about this radioactive spa hotel I visited a while ago.
Fun fact about radioactive spas, they were all the rage in the early 20th century. Back then, radioactivity was a new and exciting thing, and like all new and exciting things, it seemed like it could do more good than harm.
It made sense for radioactivity to be "good." After all, hot springs all over Europe were getting tested for radioactivity and passing with flying colors, and everybody knew hot springs could cure all sorts of things. Perhaps they'd never been miraculous at all—just radioactive.
The radioactive spa in Sortelha, Portugal, was built somewhere between 1910 and 1920, near three hot springs that produced "the most radioactive water in the country." A spa and hotel in one, this place could host up to 150 guests in 90 rooms and, yes, quite a lot of recliners.
The radioactive spa in Sortelha, Portugal, was built somewhere between 1910 and 1920, near three hot springs that produced "the most radioactive water in the country." A spa and hotel in one, this place could host up to 150 guests in 90 rooms and, yes, quite a lot of recliners.
The radioactive spa in Sortelha, Portugal, was built somewhere between 1910 and 1920, near three hot springs that produced "the most radioactive water in the country." A spa and hotel in one, this place could host up to 150 guests in 90 rooms and, yes, quite a lot of recliners.
Photo sources for previous tweet:

#1: https://www.flickr.com/photos/biblarte/2960797099/

#2: https://www.flickr.com/photos/biblarte/2693240400/
Radioactive waters were prescribed for all sorts of illnesses, from skin disorders to rheumatism and GI troubles. And it wasn't enough to bathe in them—for maximum effect, you drank them too.
In the early 1900s, the radioactive spa in Sortelha was not only providing treatments, but also bottling and exporting "radium water." It was sold in pharmacies under the claim that it could restore "health, vigor, and strength." #HistMed
(photo source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/biblarte/2692428441/)
Portugal was extremely into radioactive water until well into the 1940s. The spa business was booming, but WWII brought a new awareness of the risks associated with radiation. It is unclear when the spa in Sortelha closed, but the hotel held on until the 1960s.
Portugal was extremely into radioactive water until well into the 1940s. The spa business was booming, but WWII brought a new awareness of the risks associated with radiation. It is unclear when the spa in Sortelha closed, but the hotel held on until the 1960s.
Portugal was extremely into radioactive water until well into the 1940s. The spa business was booming, but WWII brought a new awareness of the risks associated with radiation. It is unclear when the spa in Sortelha closed, but the hotel held on until the 1960s.
(source for the 1st photo: https://restosdecoleccao.blogspot.com/2011/01/termas-de-caria-e-agua-radium.html)
It's all abandoned these days, but the tourist appeal is still there. Today, the spa hotel is one of THE must-see abandoned sites in Portugal.
It's all abandoned these days, but the tourist appeal is still there. Today, the spa hotel is one of THE must-see abandoned sites in Portugal.
It's all abandoned these days, but the tourist appeal is still there. Today, the spa hotel is one of THE must-see abandoned sites in Portugal.
It's not the homiest of abandoned places, mind you. The furniture's all gone, so it's hard to get a real sense of what this place used to feel like, but you can still spot some cool architectural features.
It's not the homiest of abandoned places, mind you. The furniture's all gone, so it's hard to get a real sense of what this place used to feel like, but you can still spot some cool architectural features.
It's not the homiest of abandoned places, mind you. The furniture's all gone, so it's hard to get a real sense of what this place used to feel like, but you can still spot some cool architectural features.
Oh, and here's another fun fact: some radioactive spas are still active today, as experts continue to disagree over the possible dangers that may come from the amount of radiation found in these wellness resorts. I'm not saying I'm in, guys, but I may be in.
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