The History of Taking a Shower

Not washing was fashionable in medieval Europe, and the church also made statements prohibiting it. Even then, bathing was considered immoral. Why was Europe, where civilization is now roaming at the top and pointed to, was in filth at that time and why didn't people bathe? Let's investigate these questions.

Until then, Europeans, who continued the bath and hammam culture, preferred not to bathe for some reason. IV. In the 21st century, Christian clergymen issued fatwas on cleaning and washing, but due to its lust-fueling effect, women banned nude bathing in baths and public areas, and allowed them to only bathe at home.

Towards the Middle Ages, he found washing in open areas as morally objectionable and completely prohibited. He showed "disease transmission and increase in sexual desire" as the reason. At that time, it was believed that water was the biggest factor in the increase of epidemics such as plague and typhus. In fact, in a medical article published in the 16th century, it is stated that water carries germs and diseases and that washing will weaken the resistance of the human body.

It is also informed that washing is harmful not only for immorality but also for health, and even that the skin pores that enlarge as a result of the contact of the washed body with air will transmit disease and even be fatal. It was believed that blindness was also transmitted by water along with infections such as flu and flu. Towards the middle of the century, the public completely forgot to take a bath. Only hand and face mouths are washed. There is a very elite segment who takes a bath. He is also several times a year! For example, the queen of Spain, Isabel I (1451-1504), has washed 2 times during her lifetime; when she was born and married. It is not known whether "it is because of not washing", but with a decision taken at that time, he put pressure on non-Christians and expelled 200 thousand Spaniards from the country, and the rest were executed by the order of the Inquisition.

Like this queen, we also have a king of France who washes twice a year: Louis XIV. A Russian ambassador visiting France mentions on his return that the "Louis XIV" he published on his return smells like a wild animal. For this reason, it has been excluded and declared perverted by Europe. The bathing culture of Russians was better than Europe. At least they took a bath once a month. Guess what European palaces smelled then. Flavored herbs and perfumes were used to suppress the odor.

Now, it should not be difficult to guess how France, especially Paris, is number 1 in the perfume industry. Starting from the ancient Greeks, who had a bath culture 3000 years ago, Europe will gain a bath habit again only towards the beginning of the 19th century. We think that it would be beneficial to keep in mind the magnificent fountains, public fountains and baths that Ottoman and Arab architects left to our day when Europe prohibited washing.