Nudism - Historical Development

Nudism is characterized by collective nudity among family and friends for the purpose of accepting the entire human body as being miraculous and shame free. Remember, your body was designed to be nude!

Organized nudism appeared for the first time in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century under the name Freikörperkultur, which means “The culture of the free body.” At the time, the need emerged for a more natural lifestyle and a less strict way of dressing. Freilichtpark, the first (and famous) nudist club, was opened near Hamburg Germany in 1903. Soon after, author Heinrich Ungewitter published the book “Nakedness,” a story about a utopia-like way of living without clothes; or living completely in the nude. The book was a huge success and had several editions. The nudist movement soon spread across the entire country of Germany, and new nudist clubs started opening in many German towns. 

When Hitler came into power in 1933, nudist organizations were banned and became illegal.  

When the war ended, the idea emerged again; and this time it happened in international proportions. After Germany in the 1960s, Croatia was one of the first countries where spending one’s summer vacations at nudist resorts and beaches became very popular. Croatia wanted to attract as many German tourists as possible, and locations such as beaches and resorts that allowed nudity seemed to be the answer.  

With regard to the spread of nudism in the U.S., the hippie movement played a huge role. One of ideals of hippies was the return to nature, enjoying one another’s nakedness and the feeling of freedom from the conventions of clothing. 

The development and spread of nudism 

Nudism accelerated in America in the 50's and 60's. In the 1980s and 1990s, the nudist movement garnered an accelerated number of followers. Those who subscribed to nudism were people with strikingly different backgrounds and social and educational status. The phenomenon of Christian nudism even appeared that advocated a “Biblical” lifestyle without clothes (a return to Eden).

Under pressure for more tourism, even exceptionally conservative countries such as Italy, Greece and Spain had to give way to the nudist idea. Special beaches in these countries offered nudist facilities for foreign travelers seeking places to relax in the nude.

Roots in antiquity (Adam & Eve were the first 'nudists')     

There is nothing either in the Bible or in most denominational statements of faith that assert that the nude human body is shameful. This idea was only recently (about 140 years ago) presented by a select group of Christians known as the Puritans, and by the pragmatic beliefs of Queen Victoria. She believed that hiding the human body was a sure way of preventing immoral activity and the resulting spread of social diseases. Unfortunately, she was 100% incorrect. Before the Puritans and Queen Victoria started what is now the modern concept that 'the nude human body is shameful,' public, communal and familial nudity was far more common (the world was not necessarily one huge ‘nudist camp,' but public nudity was much more acceptable). Prior to the Industrial Revolution, fabric was very expensive to manufacture, so most common people only had one good set of clothes. Needless to say, they did not use them to do heavy labor. Also, inside plumbing was generally not available, so bathing Etc. was done in streams, communal bathes or in tubs in the kitchen areas of a home. Further back in history, Greeks and Romans only wore clothes on certain occasions. Young people, male and female, from birth through their twenties, seldom wore any clothing at all. Most of the people practiced sports, dined, bathed and did many other daily activities completely in the nude. The human body and all of its natural functions were viewed with great respect, and was not something to be considered shameful.

The word “gymnasium” is derived from the word “gymnos,” meaning ‘nude.’ Athletes in ancient Greece trained and competed completely nude. Most of the nude competitions were for men, but female nude competitions were also common. Females were also commonly seen nude or almost nude carrying out daily activities in public places. Consequently, we can consider modern nudists to be heirs of the ideas and customs of our early ancestors. 

The philosophy of nudism  

Nudists believe that the nude human body should be accepted, respected, nurtured and enjoyed. Nudists and their families enjoy leisure activities like everyone else, and their nudity has nothing to do with sex just because they happen to be nude. Nudists believe that spending one’s vacation or other leisure activities in the nude is not morally wrong; rather, it is mentally and emotionally invigorating.

Many nudists say that spending time without clothes among other nude people gives them a greater feeling of physical, intellectual and emotional acceptance. Without clothes, a person’s social status is unnoticeable ... everyone is equal.

Today, nudism is considered to be a completely acceptable activity, and people who prefer to ‘go nude’ are no longer looked on in amazement, or considered as a “morally depraved person.” Statistical studies show that nudism is the fastest growing leisure activity in the world. Today (2010) ten people out of every one hundred are dedicated nudists (that's 10%), both male and female, at home and at play…..many are just afraid to admit it in public. Nudity is a healthy natural state for human beings; it has a long history for humans, and it is fun, comfortable and is completely natural.

We implore you, don’t leave planet earth without enjoying the many benefits and fun of being a nudist ... take your clothes off and be nude at every opportunity (and spread the word!).

Young people take note; nudism and nude recreation is the future of leisure activities in the world! The idea that 'being nude is shameful' is old fashioned thinking. Shed body shame now and enjoy your nude future! Enjoy the full potential of your body, let it be natural & nude!

Best Regards from Nature’s Hideaway……AND THANK YOU!

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