A severe health crisis linked to chemical exposure in his family’s leather dyeing factory prompted Arnold Rikli to leave the industrial sector in 1852. Seeking relief in the natural environment of Bled, he transitioned from a Swiss factory owner into a practitioner of naturopathy, eventually establishing a comprehensive health retreat that prioritized sunlight, air, and water over traditional pharmaceutical interventions.
Transition to Naturopathy
Born in 1823 in Wangen an der Aare, Switzerland, Rikli was the fourth of ten children in a family of factory owners. He married at age 21 before relocating to Seebach, Austria, to operate a leather dyeing facility with his brothers, Karl and Rudolf. His subsequent health decline led him to Bled, where he observed that the climate, fresh air, and water significantly improved his physical condition. By 1854, he permanently moved to the region and founded the Natural Healing Institute for Atmospheric Treatment.
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Take the IQ test →The Riklianer Regimen
Rikli’s practice, often termed the Riklianer regimen, centered on his doctrine that water is beneficial, air is superior, and light is paramount. His guests resided in ventilated wooden huts and followed a strict schedule of physical exercise, sun exposure, and cold-water dousing. He required participants to wear minimal, breathable linen clothing during these sessions. Meals served at the institute were strictly light and predominantly vegetarian, provided only after the completion of the daily exercise routines.
Developing Bled
To support his clinic, Rikli designed extensive networks of hiking paths, including trails leading to Straža Hill. His infrastructure investments accelerated significantly after the opening of the Lesce railway station in 1870, which brought a steady stream of middle-class health seekers to the region. In 1895, he constructed a villa and a dedicated hospital on the grounds. By 1903, his efforts were recognized with a gold medal at a Viennese international exposition for health destinations.
Legacy and Research
Although he communicated with the public in German, later research by Vojko Zavodnik confirmed that Rikli provided written instructions to his staff in Slovene. Following his death in 1906, his health complex faced decline due to the political shifts during and after the First World War. His contributions to photobiology are currently recognized through the Arnold Rikli Prize, awarded by the Jörg Wolff Foundation in Germany for research concerning the human organism’s light interaction.
Fast facts
- Born: 1823, Wangen an der Aare
- Died: 1906, Wolfsberg
- Primary occupations: Physician, dyer, naturopath
- Main base of practice: Bled, Austria (now Slovenia)
- Known as: Švajcar and The Sun Doctor
- Language skills: French, German, Slovene
- Notable construction: Villa and air park established 1895
- Religious affiliation: Reformed
Questions readers ask
Did Arnold Rikli speak the local Slovene language?
Yes, although he primarily used German for public communication, researchers have uncovered handwritten instructions he wrote to his employees in Slovene.
What was the core philosophy of Rikli’s medical practice?
He believed in the holistic healing power of nature, emphasizing the hierarchy that water is good, air is better, and light is the best therapeutic element.
