There was also, of course, an official socialist institution with a long, uninspiring name. It was secretly considered a form of escape from the uniforms, marches and conformity of the communist state.Įast Germans were free to practice nudism and did so wherever possible: at lakes, sea beaches and large FKK camping grounds. Nudism was particularly popular in East Germany, or German Democratic Republic as it was known. Germany's largest Baltic island, Ruegen has five dedicated nudist beaches. Nevertheless, it remained popular, enjoying support among members of the paramilitary SS. Laws passed in 1933 limited mixed-sex nudism as “a reaction to the increased immorality of the Weimar state.” More restrictions followed amid claims the scene was a “breeding ground for Marxists and homosexuals.”

The Nazi era brought mixed fortunes for nudism, its ongoing popularity tempered by a moral clampdown. Barely a decade later, the Berlin School of Nudism, founded to encourage mixed sex open-air exercises, hosted the first international nudity congress. In 1920, while the rest of Europe was still getting feverish over the sight an exposed ankle, Germany established its first nude beach on the island of Sylt. Germany’s passion for clotheslessness finds its origins in late-19th-century health drives when stripping off was seen as part of a route to fitness and sunbathing a possible cure for TB and rheumatism. For me, it’s often just quicker and easier to do a clean strip at the pool or sauna than frantically trying to hide the bits that everyone else is already displaying without batting an eyelid.ĭivided by the Iron Curtain, united by nudity Summer in the parks of Berlin and Munich brings the chance of encountering a middle-aged, bronzed German wearing only a hat and the BILD-Zeitung, Germany’s favorite tabloid.įorget sausages and beer, the sign of true German-ness is publicly disrobing with absolutely zero self-consciousness. When you travel there, you’ll see that baring all is normal in saunas, swimming pools, the park and on the beach. In Germany, nudism is known as Freikoerperkultur (FKK), Free Body Culture. Nudism is traditionally popular in Germany, a country considered buttoned up and conservative compared with, let’s say, Italy. In public pools, children of all ages were allowed to run around naked all the time.Įven now I’m comfortable with getting naked in the sauna or gym changing room. When I was a kid, my father always used to sunbathe nude in our garden at weekends.

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