Diamond Mineral Baths
Soufriere, St. Lucia
N 13° 51.059 W 061° 02.896
Short Description:
The Diamond Mineral Baths are located in Diamond Botanical Gardens on the Soufriere Estate, Soufriere, St. Lucia.
Long Description:
The Diamond Mineral Baths date back to 1784. the were build for the soldiers of King Louis XVI of France. They fell into disrepair and later restored by the owner of the Soufriere Estate. Today they are one of the highlights of a visit to the Diamond Botanical Gardens. The spring fed baths are subdivided into three rectangular pools which can accommodate up to 12 persons per pool.
A sign next to the baths recounts the history of the Diamond Mineral Baths and their therapeutic value. It is inscribed:
Diamond Mineral Baths
The Diamond Mineral Baths were built in 1784 and
were intended originally to be used by the French troops
of King Louis XVI to protect and fortify them.
The "Medicin du Roi" of Paris having received sample
of the water from the Baron de Micoud, Governor of
St. Lucia in 1784, produced the report on the therapeutic
waters, which showed them to be comparable to those of
Aix-les-Bain in France and Aix la Chapelle in Germany.
In 1784 plans were drawn for the construction of the
buildings and twelve large stone baths on this site fed by
a catchment that still operated today. This project, so
impressed the King that on his direction the allocation of
funds were provided and the project was completed that
same year.
Unfortunately during the "Brigand's War" which followed
on the heels of the French Revolution, the baths as well as
the other places of historical value were senselessly
destroyed in 1836.
The baths, damaged and badly overgrown by bush,
remained so until the owner of Diamond Estate,
Mr. Andre du Boulay had two baths excavated and restored
in 1930 for his own personal use. Much later the outdoor
pools were built and made available to the public for a
small fee.
The baths built on this site are fed by underground hot
mineral springs. The mineral content of each spring can
vary slightly.
The waters of these springs were analyzed by John Davy,
MD, FRS, in 1865 who highly praised the medical properties
of these natural waters, recommending them for persons
suffering from rheumatism, sore joints and muscles and
most of all for their remarkable properties of relaxing those
persons who bathe in these waters.
No comments:
Post a Comment