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Family trips to the Roisdorf spring introduced Beethoven to healing water at an early age.
Healing water
The Roisdorf fountain in 1850, with the nearby castle in the background on the left
Even the Romans refreshed themselves from the springs of the Roisdorf fountain. The "sour spring" was certified as a healing and mineral spring in 1774. It developed into a popular excursion destination in the region.
At that time, the bottling of the spring water in stoneware bottles from the Westerwald began. A lively trade developed with the royal seat of Bonn and Cologne. Exports went to the Lower Rhine and Holland, from there to England and overseas, but also to Russia.
The Beethoven family knew the source. When relatives visited Bonn, they went there by car. This is how the young Ludwig came to know and appreciate healing water. When his health deteriorated in the Vienna years, he repeatedly went to Heiligenstadt, Baden near Vienna or to the Bohemian spas of Teplitz, Karlsbad and Franzensbad.
English: Healing waters
The Roisdorf spring, 1850, the nearby Alfter Castle can be seen in the background, left.
The Romans had refreshed themselves with waters from the Roisdorf spring. In 1774, this "sour spring" was certified as a healing and mineral spring. It became a popular destination for excursions in the region.
It was then that the spring water started to be bottled in stoneware bottles from the Westerwald region. Brisk trade was established with the residential town of Bonn and with Cologne. Exports went as far as the Lower Rhine region and Holland, and from there to England, overseas, and also to Russia.
The Beethoven family knew the spring. When relatives came to visit them in Bonn, they traveled there in a carriage. This is how young Beethoven got to know and appreciate healing waters. When during his Vienna years, his health deteriorated, he repeatedly went for health cures in Heiligenstadt, to Baden near Vienna, and to the Bohemian spas of Teplitz, Karlsbad and Franzensbad.
Français: Eau curative
La fontaine de Roisdorf en 1850, château d'Alfter à gauche en arrière-plan.
Since the Roman era, the sources of the Roisdorf fountain have been consulted. The "source aigre" was certified as a source of thermal and mineral water in 1774, making it a popular destination in the region.
Since then, the water has been bottled in the Westerwald's water tanks. An intense trade developed with the cities of Bonn and Cologne. Water was exported to the Lower Rhine region and the Netherlands, then to England and other countries, as well as Russia.
The Beethoven family knew the source. A visit from his parents was the occasion to go there by car. The young Ludwig also discovered the thermal springs. His health deteriorated during his years in Vienna, and he went to Heiligenstadt, Baden to the south of Vienna and the bohemian spas of Teplice, Karlovy Vary and Franzensbad several times.
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