Sites of Re-Enchantment: Sacred Space and Nature in Early 20th Century Europe

Aaron French

doi:10.3390/rel13020110

Abstract

This essay analyses the relationship between healing, nature, and the sacred in the construction of “sacred space” or heterotopies at the beginning of the 20th century in Europe. Two examples of these spaces are provided: the Kurorte in Bad Reichenhall, Germany, and the back-to-nature site Monte Verità in Ascona, Switzerland. The focus is on sacred space, alternative lifestyles, and the natural environment through the use of “light and air” cabins and community organization, as described by the founders of the colony at Monte Verità. The healing garden and the Gradierhaus—a special type of building designed for breathing salted air—in Bad Reichenhall are explored through the lens of “air cure” and “climate cures”, which became popular in Central Europe at the end of the 19th century. Such buildings and healing sites were designed for the express purpose of healing through disconnection from the chaos of the modern industrial world in order to reconnect with nature and the elements. Drawing on Foucault’s concept of heterotopia, a striking affinity between buildings and the natural environment at these sites is revealed, resulting in a “special” or “sacred” location that is somehow both “in” and “out” of everyday life, capable of ostensibly producing forms of healing in the visitors and inhabitants.

Highlights

In the 1960s, Foucault developed his notion of heterotopic space in a lecture given to a group of architects (Foucault 1986)
He described heterotopic space in terms of a mirror, reflecting back the outside world-space by creating another space that is both not really there and at the same time there. Between utopias and these quite other sites, these heterotopias, there might be a sort of mixed, joint experience, which would be the mirror
In order to remain resilient in the face of such trauma, sites such as Monte Verità and Bad Reichenhall, with their closeness to nature and healing gardens, became popular spaces for healing and visiting, and for enduring

Summary

Introduction

In the 1960s, Foucault developed his notion of heterotopic space in a lecture given to a group of architects (Foucault 1986). This suggestion is expanded on by emphasizing Foucault’s remarks on the heterotopia as a mirror, as a space for resistance practices but as a site where Europeans could become conscious of the implications of modern life by stepping outside of it This increase in conscious awareness allowed for a potential healing process to take place. Quality of life for these sites was described in terms of a better, more perfect and natural way of living In this sense, they functioned as new sacred spaces, sanctified areas cut away from the profane world and people. In order to remain resilient in the face of such trauma, sites such as Monte Verità and Bad Reichenhall, with their closeness to nature and healing gardens, became popular spaces for healing and visiting, and for enduring

Back to Nature

The Monte Verità Sanatorium

Bad Reichenhall

Conclusions