Nudism - Historical Development

Nudism is characterized by collective nudity for the purpose of developing respect for oneself, for others and for the environment.

Organized nudism appeared for the first time in Germany under the name Freikörperkultur, which means “The culture of the free body,” at the beginning of the 20th century. At the time, the need emerged for a more natural lifestyle and a less strict way of dressing. Freilichtpark, the first 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 places allowing 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 hippies’ ideals was the return to nature, enjoying one another’s nakedness and the feeling of freedom from the conventions of clothes. 

The development and spread of nudism 

In the 1980s and 1990s, the nudist movement garnered an increasing 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 visit in the nude.

Roots in antiquity    

Before the appearance of the Jewish - Christian - Muslim concept that the nude human body is shameful, the whole world was in fact one huge ‘nudist camp.’ Greeks and Romans only wore clothes on certain occasions. Young people, male and female, from birth through their twenties, seldom ever 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 naked human body should be accepted, respected, nurtured and enjoyed. Nudists enjoy leisure activities like everyone else, and their nudity has nothing to do with sex just because they are nude. Nudists believe that spending one’s vacation or other leisure activities in the nude has no negative moral consequences.

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 “morally depraved persons.” Statistical studies show that nudism is the fastest growing leisure activity in the world. Today (2009) ten people out of every one hundred are dedicated nudists; 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, and it is fun and comfortable. Don’t leave planet earth without enjoying the many benefits and fun of being a nudist.

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