A Alma e a Gente - III #38 - O Milagre das Termas - 02 Out 2005

Summary

The video explores the rich history of Vidago, a town in Portugal known for its thermal baths. It delves into the evolution of the thermal spa industry in the country, starting from Roman times and culminating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The story highlights the significant investments in luxury hotels, particularly the Grand Hotel Vidago, and their importance in Portuguese tourism. It also touches on political, economic, and social changes, such as the shift from monarchic to republican rule, and how these transformations influenced the country's spa culture and economy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vidago, located in Trás-os-Montes, Portugal, is known for its thermal baths, with a rich history dating back to Roman times.
• 😀 The thermal waters of Vidago were discovered to have medicinal properties in the late 19th century, becoming a focal point for European thermalism.
• 😀 Vidago's thermal waters were first identified for their therapeutic benefits in 1860 by Manuel Souza, a Portuguese worker who discovered their healing effects on stomach issues.
• 😀 A hotel was built in 1871 to accommodate visitors to the Vidago thermal baths, and it became a key part of the local tourism industry, with royal figures and high-profile guests.
• 😀 The Vidago Grand Hotel, which opened in 1874, was the first major hotel in the area and marked the beginning of Vidago's rise as a prominent spa destination in Europe.
• 😀 The evolution of Portuguese society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries contributed to Vidago's growing importance, with industrialization and wealth from the Brazilian economy boosting tourism and investments.
• 😀 During the early 20th century, plans were made to build a massive hotel in Vidago, designed by architect Ventura Terra, though this project was delayed by political events such as the 1910 Republican revolution.
• 😀 The hotel’s construction was a symbol of the rising luxury tourism industry in Portugal, with advancements like electric lighting, refrigeration, and elevators—cutting-edge for its time.
• 😀 In the early 20th century, Portugal experienced economic changes, including the end of the Brazilian immigration wave and a shift from the monarchy to the republic, affecting the thermal tourism sector.
• 😀 The role of spas and thermal baths in Portugal remains linked to health and wellness, with these locations historically serving as a haven for those seeking healing for ailments, from royalty to commoners.

Q & A

What historical significance does Vidago hold in Portugal?

Vidago is known for its thermal waters, which have a long history dating back to Roman times. The town became a notable center for thermal tourism in the 19th century, with the establishment of the Grand Hotel in 1874, which played a significant role in popularizing the thermal baths in Portugal and Europe.

How did thermal baths influence Portuguese society during the 19th century?

During the 19th century, thermal baths became an important aspect of Portuguese society. After the liberal revolution and the first industrial revolution, thermal resorts, like those in Vidago, became popular not only for their medicinal properties but also as social hubs where the elite gathered.

What role did the Grand Hotel in Vidago play in Portugal's thermal tourism?

The Grand Hotel in Vidago, inaugurated in 1874, became one of the key landmarks of thermal tourism in Portugal. It offered luxurious accommodations for those seeking to benefit from the medicinal waters and helped establish Vidago as one of the leading thermal destinations in Europe.

Who was involved in the construction of the Grand Hotel in Vidago?

The Grand Hotel in Vidago was constructed under the direction of a society established to manage the water resources of Vidago. It was inaugurated with the attendance of significant political and royal figures, including King Luís and Queen Maria Pia of Portugal.

What major political and economic changes affected thermal tourism in Portugal?

The major political change came with the establishment of the Portuguese Republic in 1910, which coincided with the decline of the monarchy. Economically, the end of the Brazilian immigration flow and the impact of the First World War led to changes in the economic landscape, which also affected the thermal tourism industry.

How did the discovery of medicinal waters in Vidago occur?

The discovery of the medicinal waters in Vidago occurred in the 1860s when a man named Manoel Souza, suffering from severe stomach pain, stumbled upon a spring. Upon analyzing the water, it was found to have therapeutic properties, which led to the development of Vidago as a thermal destination.

What other thermal resorts in Portugal are mentioned in the transcript?

Other notable thermal resorts mentioned in the transcript include the Caldas da Rainha, the thermal baths in São Pedro do Sul, and the Caldas do Vimeiro. These resorts, like Vidago, played a significant role in the country's thermal tourism during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Why did the Grand Hotel in Vidago cease functioning as it once did?

The Grand Hotel in Vidago eventually fell into decline due to several factors, including the rise of new, more luxurious hotels and changing political and economic conditions in Portugal. It became a ruin by the 1990s, though its legacy as a landmark of thermal tourism remains important.

What impact did the development of thermal resorts have on the local economy?

The development of thermal resorts like Vidago contributed significantly to the local economy by attracting wealthy visitors, stimulating infrastructure development, and fostering industries related to hospitality and tourism. It also led to the construction of hotels and other amenities that supported local businesses.

How did the economic and social changes in Portugal after the First World War affect thermal tourism?

After the First World War, Portugal underwent significant economic and social changes, including a decline in the financial resources that once flowed from Brazil. The rising importance of beach resorts and the changing social fabric led to a shift in tourism trends, reducing the prominence of traditional thermal resorts.