“Sulfur!” That’s what the Lisbon locals whispered about Banhos de São Paulo long ago. It wasn’t a curse. It was a cure!
The Banhos de São Paulo stands before us. It is a building with a fascinating past. Today, it houses the Order of Architects. But its story began with healing waters.
Let’s journey back to 1829. Workers were reinforcing buildings near Praça do Comércio. They discovered a spring with unusual waters. This water was rich in chloride and sulfur. People believed it had curative properties. Word spread quickly. Soon, the less fortunate sought relief there. A simple shed sheltered them from the elements.
The Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa saw an opportunity. They envisioned a proper building for these therapeutic baths. In 1850, construction began on what would become the Banhos de São Paulo. The location was about 550 meters west of the original spring.
Pedro José Pézerat, an architect and engineer, designed the baths. He equipped it with the most modern amenities. The Banhos de São Paulo quickly became renowned. It was considered one of the best bathhouses in Europe.
Inside, the building featured three floors. A central space was illuminated by a skylight. Fifty-nine tubs offered various treatments. These included immersion baths and carbo-gaseous treatments. Nasal irrigations and underwater massages were also available. The water was administered in various ways. Think simple showers and Scottish showers. Think Vichy and underwater showers. Also available were nasal irrigations and inhalations. Vaginal irrigations and medical massages rounded out the offerings.
For over a century, the Banhos de São Paulo served Lisbon’s residents. Imagine people seeking relief from ailments within those walls. Imagine the air thick with steam and the murmur of conversations. People came seeking cures. They sought relaxation. They found community.
Sadly, by 1975, pollution had contaminated the water source. The Banhos de São Paulo closed its doors to the public. The building faced an uncertain future.
In 1990, the City Council of Lisbon granted a new lease on life to the Banhos de São Paulo. They entrusted it to the Order of Architects. Architects Graça Dias and Egas Vieira oversaw renovations. They adapted the space for its new purpose.
Today, the Banhos de São Paulo stands as a testament to Lisbon’s history. It is a Public Interest Building since 1982. It is a reminder of a time when water was medicine. It shows us how buildings can adapt and evolve. The building now serves a new purpose. It continues to contribute to the city’s cultural fabric.