Nr 3 Lovely ladies – and gentlemen – on the beach

Swimming in the sea and sunbathing on the beach were still uncommon activities in the mid-1800s. After all, long into the 1900s, a suntan signified physical labour. Many were even frightened to swim in the sea. During the 1800s, swimming was not yet considered an essential skill. However, spending time at the beach socialising and enjoying the fresh sea breeze was already part of spa life.

Hydrotherapy in seawater

Swimming as a health-promoting activity, along with sun and air bathing also spread to Naantali. In the 1890s, two new sea pools were built at the spa, easily accessible from the steam cabinets. As part of hydrotherapy, spa guests would plunge into cold indoor sea pools extending out from the shore, with separate rooms for men and women. In 1895, the spa offered swimming lessons “for youths” in the men’s sea pool. The sea pools were separate from the main spa complex, located a short distance away in Nunnaniemi. The women’s pool was located in the bay, while the men’s pool was built at the tip of the headland.

From the spa to the beach and sea

A new seaside spa was planned for the large beach at Tupavuori a few kilometres from the town centre. The Tupavuori spa with its beaches, slides and restaurants was opened in summer 1918. Sunbathing and spending time outdoors were all the rage at the time, attracting large crowds to Tupavuori in the summer. The spa shut down its Tupavuori facilities in the late 1940s and its Naantali Beach facilities in 1963. Nunnalahti Beach remains popular to this day.

Caption 1: Women’s indoor sea pool at Nunnaniemi in the 1920s. During the 1800s, the swimwear worn by upper-class men and women was heavy and impractical. One-piece swimsuits for men began to gain popularity after the 1870s, but women’s would not until the early 1900s.

Caption 2: Nunnalahti Beach was called the Nunnalahti Sea Spa. The beach area was fenced off and beachgoers were charged an entrance fee.