History of the Bad Moos - Aqua Spa Resorts in Sesto

Since 2005 the spring water from the old “farmers’ bath” has been used in many different ways in the wellness and health centre at our Aqua Spa Resort.

Erwin Lanzinger - Hotelier and tourism visionary
In 2015, the Bad Moos lost its founder and at the same time, the 3 Zinnen region lost a true great of the industry. Without a doubt, our leader, among other things president for many years of the Upper Pusteria Valley tourism association, enjoyed the status of a tourism pioneer.
With his vision, his tireless dedication and his energy, he set standards that have made a lasting mark here.
Courage, stubbornness, directness, but also charm, intelligence and cosmopolitanism are just a few of his traits.
He was always an influencer. A “free spirit”, as he saw himself. And a sociable man. In “wellness” too, the always ambitious hotelier set standards. At the end of the 1970s his hotel was able to boast the first sauna complex in South Tyrol. The pioneer imported the first jacuzzi from America at a time when most people did not even know what one was.
Erwin Lanzinger was largely responsible for the coming together of the Helm and Rotwand ski resorts.

His two philosophies of life summarised in two brief quotes:
“If I want to be successful in the tourism business, then I need to be there on the front line having my say!” and “Fortune favours the brave!”

Bad Moos – the old farmers’ bath
The bathing springs of Bad Moos have been known for 350 years. There is evidence of people bathing here since 1765 and a bathhouse was constructed in around 1800. With the boom in tourism in the 19th century, Bad Moos became even more well known, since Sesto, as the home of many famous mountain-guiding families, was the base for many first ascents of Dolomite summits. At the beginning of the 20th century, bathing and drinking cures from three different springs were offered in the grand spa guesthouse, of which today only the sulphur spring of St. Valentine, which is a recognised mineral water spring, is still known.
In 2005, Dr. Erwin Lanzinger revitalised the old “farmers’ bath” in the Hotel Bad Moos, and since then the spring water has been used in the wellness and health centre of the hotel in many different ways. The Bad Moos - Aqua Spa Resort is one of only five hotels in the whole of South Tyrol to hold a cure license.

On the trail of the Eagle Warriors
In the First World War, the Sesto Dolomites were bitterly contested. It is possible to follow in the footsteps of the fighters directly from the Bad Moos - Aqua Spa Resort on guided hikes and excursions. For example, to the open air museum operated by the Bellum Aquilarum Historical Association on the Anderter Alp, where positions from the First World War can be visited.

The Bellum Aquilarum Historical Association was brought into being by Erwin Lanzinger and residents of Sesto. The aim of the association is to document the events on the front in the Sesto Dolomites and raise awareness and remind us all of our responsibility with regard to the horrors of war.

Further information can be found on the “Bellum Aquilarum Historical Association” website http://www.bellumaquilarum.it/englisch/

Water: fountainhead of life

The bathing springs of Bad Moos have been known of since at least 1650. Evidence exists of people bathing here from 1765, and a bathhouse was built in around 1800. With the boom in tourism in the 19th century, Bad Moos became even more well known, since Sesto, as the home of many famous mountain-guiding families, was the base for many first ascents of Dolomite summits.
At the beginning of the 20th century, bathing and drinking cures from three different springs were offered in the grand spa guesthouse, of which today only the sulphur spring that is a recognised mineral water spring, is still known.

In 2005, Dr. Erwin Lanzinger revitalised the old “farmers’ bath” in the Hotel Bad Moos, and the spring water is used in the wellness and health centre of the hotel in many different ways. The Bad Moos - Aqua Spa Resort is one of only five hotels in the whole of South Tyrol to hold a cure license.

Sulphur Spring

Our 4-star superior hotel in the Upper Pusteria Valley is one of the few establishments in South Tyrol to hold a cure license: the Bad Moos - Aqua Spa Resort in Sesto, dedicated to tradition, open to modernity.

For two decades we have been able to offer cures under medical supervision in our hotel in Sesto. There is evidence that the bathing tradition has been practised in Bad Moos since 1765, and the bathing springs have been known of since at least 1650. In around 1800 a wooden bathhouse was built, which was later replaced by a stone building. In those days, the bathing facility was visited by women in particular, as the mineral-rich water was believed to promote fertility.

At the beginning of the 20h century, Bad Moos was a grand spa guesthouse, which was able to offer bathing and drinking cures from three different springs: the sulphur spring, which today is recognised as a mineral water spring, plus one eye spring and one with water for the stomach.

While both of the latter are no longer accessible, the sulphur water is still used for bathing at the Bad Moos - Aqua Spa Resort today.
The water is used in a variety of different ways in the “Soma & Anima spa” wellness and health centre.