Kneipp Network in Transylvania:
A lively Kneipp day in Bad Szelters
From the approach to departure, it was a perfectly organized health-themed trip: On July 4, 2026, the Kneipp community in the Romanian Bad Szelters / Oderhellen (Transylvania) celebrated a thoroughly successful Kneipp Day. Representing Kneipp Worldwide, the Vice President of Kneipp Worldwide, Dr. med. Hans-Georg Eisenlauer, was on site. He gave a greeting speech and conveyed greetings from the president. The organizers, Sister Imelda and Ms. Enikö Phlebs, were deeply touched by the international support from our network.
Five elements, eighty participants, and the ‘Pub Express’
The sprawling facility in Bad Szelters, with its busy iron-rich drinking spring and the nearby school camp, provided the perfect setting. After a solemn church service, Sister Imelda and Mrs. Phlebs introduced the 80 participants to Kneipp’s health concept with a solid 60-minute lecture.
After that, it was time to hop on the ‘Pub Express’! The groups headed straight to the stations for the five elements, which were designed with lots of creativity and local references:
Water: Pure refreshment was offered by the arm bath and the cold water treading pool run through by the stream.
Nutrition: In the plant identification game, there were practical everyday tips – like using dried and ground dandelion roots as a coffee substitute.
Medicinal plants: The participants mixed salt from a nearby mine with various medicinal herbs to make a soothing foot bath.
Movement: Coordination and team spirit were required in the pair cross-country skiing on wooden skis, in target throwing, and in balancing sandbags.
Life order: Even the adults were deeply focused on coloring in Kneipp motifs. At the same time, the instructor kept everyone excited for four hours straight with lively circle dances.
As a reward, traditional donuts and a Transylvanian fabric bag with informational materials awaited the participants at the end. A shared dinner perfectly rounded off the intense day for all the helpers.
Cross-border impulses and future plans
The Kneipp Day shone far beyond the region: A delegation from the Hungarian community of Olaszfa traveled specifically with their mayor, Robert Fekete. Inspired by the success in Transylvania, the community is planning a similar event in their own town for 2027.
During the visit, future projects were also discussed. Sister Imelda runs four to six extended Kneipp weekends each year at the convent for ten people each (including washings at 5 a.m.). To expand this valuable work, she has developed a concept for a three-week training program to qualify ten interested people who can help her with the water therapies in the future.
After a shared Sunday hike with the Hungarian guests – which fortunately went completely without any bear encounters – Vice President Dr. med. Eisenlauer drew an all-around positive conclusion: The Kneipp day in Bad Szelters impressively showed how lively and dynamic the Kneipp movement is growing in Eastern Europe.
