The Belle Époque in Italy was a period of prosperity and innovation, spanning from the late 19th century until the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. Characterized by social, economic, and cultural changes, this period coincided with industrial development, technological progress, and artistic renewal. Italy saw an acceleration of industrialization, an expansion of railway infrastructures, and a growth of cities as economic and innovation centers. Technological advancements such as electricity, the telephone, and the automobile transformed the country, while the growth of the urban bourgeoisie and middle class led to improvements in living conditions. Culturally, the Liberty artistic movement influenced architecture and design, while literature, music, and theater flourished. Italian cities became important tourist destinations for the European elite, contributing to the development of tourism.

In particular, seaside tourism began to take hold, transforming the coasts into leisure spots for the bourgeoisie and aristocracy.

It was in this context that the “bagnarole” were born, iconic structures of this new era of leisure and well-being.

 

The Bagnarole: A Dive into the Past of the Belle Époque

The “bagnarole,” mostly wooden mobile cabins mounted on wheels, were used to allow bathers to change and immerse themselves in the sea waters away from prying eyes. These structures, pulled by horses to the shore or even halfway into the water, offered discreet shelter in line with the decorum norms of the time, which required that women could enter and exit the water without being seen.

Born in the United Kingdom at the end of the 18th century, the “bagnarole” quickly spread throughout Europe during the Belle Époque, also becoming widely popular in Italy, especially in seaside resorts frequented by nobility and wealthy bourgeoisie seeking relaxation and social life.

 

 

 

Bagnarole in Salento: The Elegance of Santa Maria di Leuca

The jewel of summer vacations in Salento at that time was Santa Maria di Leuca.

The fashion for summer stays in coastal areas, which pervaded all social classes, led to the development of different types of “bagnarole”:

  • Bagnarola a conca: This was the type for the common people, essentially a natural hollow between rocks by the sea used by those who, not knowing how to swim, were looking for a safe place. Besides this natural “hole,” there were also artificial hollows, indicating attempts at larger excavations.
  • Uncovered bagnarola : A kind of bathtub carved into the cliff, generally quadrangular in shape. Almost all had a ladder to descend into the water, which entered through two openings and reached a very low level, so that both children and adults who could not swim could bathe. Originally, these “bagnarole” were reserved, so it was difficult to access them without permission. Each had the name of its owner, who belonged to a middle social level.
  • Wooden bagnarola: Dug near the shore like the uncovered “bagnarola,” with a quadrangular shape, sea access openings, and stone ladders, it served as the base for a wooden covering. Practically, the lower part, that is, the base, had water; then the wooden floor with ladders to descend into the water, followed by all-wooden side panels that closed the structure. The function of the wooden “bagnarola” was to create a private, secluded environment sheltered from the sun. These “bagnarole” no longer exist today; they were active until the 1960s. These “bagnarole” were usually reserved for upper bourgeoisie families. The structure would be set up at the beginning of the summer season and removed with the first autumn storms in early October.
  • Stone bagnarole: The fundamental structure was the same, a section of the cliff carved into a quadrangular shape with two openings to the sea. Covered by a stone construction, it was accessed through a side door leading to a landing from which one could descend into the water via a stone ladder. The structure’s purpose was to offer the possibility of undressing and having a completely private environment. Therefore, a cabin that guaranteed a covered bath without being seen and maintaining the fair skin tone, as was the fashion of the time. These generally had a circular, hexagonal, or even dodecagonal shape. Located right by the sea, almost always in front of the villa to which they belonged. These were also a sign of nobility. This is because, starting from the late 1800s, numerous villas in Liberty and Moorish styles began to be built in Santa Maria di Leuca, in line with the era’s standards, as a representation of the growing power of the upper bourgeoisie and nobility. The villa owners could afford the luxury of reserving a piece of the coast and building their noble cabin in the style and color of their villa. It was a sign of “ownership” and “identity.”

Today, only three stone “bagnarole” remain: two large ones, those of Villa Meridiana and Villa Fuortes, and a small one built on unexcavated rock near the pier (the former English dock).

 

Other examples of “bagnarole” in the Salento area can be found in Santa Caterina (a marina of Nardò) and Marina Serra (a marina of Tricase).

“The Bathing Room” in Santa Caterina di Nardò is accessible from two side openings to the room, one of which must have been the main entrance because the door hinges that closed the entrance are still visible; the other is very rugged and difficult to reach. But the most suggestive entrance is the semi-submerged hole that allows access from the sea. One holds their breath, takes two strokes, and is transported from a crowded beach to a place suspended out of time.

In Marina Serra, we find a “bagnarola a conca,” known as the “Grotta dell’amore or degli innamorati” (Cave of Love or Lovers), and the “Grotta Spinchialuru,” where near the opening, a cavity was created for undisturbed bathing.

 

 

 

 

Bagnarole in the Rest of Europe: An International Phenomenon

Beyond Italy, the “bagnarole” also became a symbol of the era in other European locations. In the United Kingdom, for example, the “bagnarole” were ubiquitous along the coasts of Scarborough, Brighton, and Whitby. In France, they were found in Deauville and Trouville on the Normandy coast, where they were used by French aristocrats and the Parisian bourgeoisie. In Belgian seaside resorts like Ostend, along the Baltic Sea coast in Germany, and on the elegant beaches of Scheveningen in the Netherlands, “bagnarole” became an integral part of the landscape.

Each country adapted them to its style and needs, but they all shared the same purpose: to allow discreet sea bathing while respecting the era’s strict moral standards.

 

The Bagnarole Today: A Historical and Cultural Rediscovery

Over time, the “bagnarole” lost their original function and were slowly abandoned or destroyed. However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in these iconic structures, which represent a window into the past and the elegance of the Belle Époque.

In some places in Europe, such as the British coast or the beaches of Deauville, some original “bagnarole” have been restored and preserved as tourist attractions and historical testimonies. In Italy, particularly, the recovery of “bagnarole” has been more sporadic, but there are examples of faithful reconstructions in places like Santa Margherita Ligure or in museums related to sea culture.

In Santa Maria di Leuca, although many original “bagnarole” have been lost, interest in this historical heritage remains alive. Some restoration and recovery projects have been initiated to preserve the memory of these fascinating cabins. In 2015, the “bagnarola” of Villa La Meridiana was severely damaged by a violent storm, creating a breach in one of the walls, which was promptly repaired. The rediscovery of the “bagnarole” is not just a way to enhance an architectural element, but also to relive and tell a story of elegance, traditions, and love for the sea.

The “bagnarole” represent much more than simple mobile structures: they are witnesses of an era when leisure, well-being, and elegance were fundamental values. Their rediscovery and enhancement offer a fascinating journey back in time, allowing us to relive the atmosphere of the Belle Époque and appreciate the history of Europe’s seaside resorts, including the enchanting ones of Salento.

As interest in the “bagnarole” continues to grow, it becomes increasingly evident that their charm is not only tied to the past but also to the desire to reclaim a refined lifestyle linked to the pleasure of small things. Who knows, maybe one day we will see them return to our beaches as a symbol of a time that still fascinates and inspires.