Arnold Rikli

In search of recovery, he traveled to Bled in 1852, where the fresh air, clean water, and favorable climate aided his healing. Enthralled by the natural surroundings, he moved to Bled permanently in 1854 and, in 1855, founded the ''Natural Healing Institute for Atmospheric Treatment'' (''Naturheilanstalt für atmosphärische Cur''). He abandoned the family business and began promoting his method of healing on Bled.

In search of recovery, he traveled to Bled in 1852, where the fresh air, clean water, and favorable climate aided his healing. Enthralled by the natural surroundings, he moved to Bled permanently in 1854 and, in 1855, founded the ''Natural Healing Institute for Atmospheric Treatment'' (''Naturheilanstalt für atmosphärische Cur''). He abandoned the family business and began promoting his method of healing on Bled.

Rikli's therapeutic approach was based on the holistic effects of natural elements: sunlight, fresh air, clean water, physical activity, and simple nutrition. Guests stayed in wooden, well-ventilated huts, walked in light clothing—typically linen trousers and shirts—and underwent treatments involving cold-water dousing, short showers, and exposure to sun and fresh air. Although spa guests were never entirely unclothed when in public view, their modest attire led locals to describe them as "naked". Shielded from prying eyes by a high wall, they took intense naked light baths on the spa's rooftop, basking privately in the sun.<ref name="BZ1">{{Cite news|title=Zu Besuch beim Sonnendoktor in Slowenien|trans-title=Visiting the sun doctor in Slovenia|url=https://www.bernerzeitung.ch/zu-besuch-beim-sonnendoktor-in-slowenien-532876250584|last=Künzi|first=Stephan|publisher=BZ Berliner Zeitung|location=Berlin|language=de|date=2023-05-29|access-date=2025-07-08}}</ref> Riki's well-known saying was: ''"Water is good, air is better, but light is best."''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20190814-the-birthplace-of-modern-nature-healing|title=The birthplace of modern nature healing|first=Mahima A.|last=Jain|website=www.bbc.com}}</ref> He designed numerous walking paths of varying difficulty around Bled, one of which led to Straža Hill, an area that until recently functioned as a winter [[Alpine skiing|ski]] slope and, in summer, a walking trail, fitness path, and toboggan run.

Rikli's therapeutic approach was based on the holistic effects of natural elements: sunlight, fresh air, clean water, physical activity, and simple nutrition. Guests stayed in wooden, well-ventilated huts, walked in light clothing—typically linen trousers and shirts—and underwent treatments involving cold-water dousing, short showers, and exposure to sun and fresh air. Although spa guests were never entirely exposed when in public view at the resort and its surrounding parks, their wearing of abbreviated attire led locals to describe them as "naked". Shielded from prying eyes by a high wall, they took intense naked light baths on the spa's rooftop, basking privately in the sun.<ref name="BZ1">{{Cite news|title=Zu Besuch beim Sonnendoktor in Slowenien|trans-title=Visiting the sun doctor in Slovenia|url=https://www.bernerzeitung.ch/zu-besuch-beim-sonnendoktor-in-slowenien-532876250584|last=Künzi|first=Stephan|publisher=BZ Berner Zeitung|location=Bern|language=de|date=2023-05-29|access-date=2025-07-08}}</ref> Riki's well-known saying was: ''"Water is good, air is better, but light is best."''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20190814-the-birthplace-of-modern-nature-healing|title=The birthplace of modern nature healing|first=Mahima A.|last=Jain|website=www.bbc.com}}</ref> He designed numerous walking paths of varying difficulty around Bled, one of which led to Straža Hill, an area that until recently functioned as a winter [[Alpine skiing|ski]] slope and, in summer, a walking trail, fitness path, and toboggan run.

For a long time, it was believed that Rikli did not speak Slovene. However, researcher Vojko Zavodnik disproved this in his work ''In the Footsteps of Arnold Rikli'', which revealed handwritten instructions Rikli had given to his employees in Slovene. Because the majority of his guests came from German-speaking regions, Rikli mostly used German in public communication, and signage in and around the health resort was also in German. Locals referred to him as ''"Švajcar"'' (the Swiss) and ''"the Sun Doctor."''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Zavodnik |first=Vojko |title=Po sledeh arnolda riklija |date= |publisher=Bled : Zavod za kulturo |year=2018 |isbn=978-961-94602-0-7 |location=Bled, Slovenija |language=Slovenian |trans-title=In the Footsteps of Arnold Rikli}}</ref>

For a long time, it was believed that Rikli did not speak Slovene. However, researcher Vojko Zavodnik disproved this in his work ''In the Footsteps of Arnold Rikli'', which revealed handwritten instructions Rikli had given to his employees in Slovene. Because the majority of his guests came from German-speaking regions, Rikli mostly used German in public communication, and signage in and around the health resort was also in German. Locals referred to him as ''"Švajcar"'' (the Swiss) and ''"the Sun Doctor."''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Zavodnik |first=Vojko |title=Po sledeh arnolda riklija |date= |publisher=Bled : Zavod za kulturo |year=2018 |isbn=978-961-94602-0-7 |location=Bled, Slovenija |language=Slovenian |trans-title=In the Footsteps of Arnold Rikli}}</ref>