The History of Toja Island's Thermal Baths

Toja Island transitioned from being an animal refuge to a luxury destination thanks to its healing waters, giving rise to a famous soap that disappeared in 2008.

## The Donkey's Miracle and the Awakening of La Toja

The history of **La Toja** begins humbly, almost anecdotally: a sick donkey. Its owner, instead of slaughtering it, brought it to the island to spend its final days. Surprisingly, the animal not only survived but recovered. This fact, as unlikely as it may seem, unleashed a wave of discoveries regarding the curative properties of the island's waters. What was once a secluded place, little known outside among shepherds, transformed into a coveted destination for high society.

## From Luxury to the Masses: The Soap that Conquered the World

The fame of **La Toja** grew exponentially, attracting figures such as **Alfonso XIII** and Queen **Beatriz of Holland**, who stayed at the hotel inaugurated in **1907**. But the entrepreneurs of the time were not satisfied with an exclusive clientele. They sought to democratize the benefits of the thermal waters, leading to the creation in **1904** of the first bars of soap. These soaps, made with the precious waters of the island, became a resounding success, crossing borders.

## Goodbye to a Classic: The Disappeared Soap

The prestige of **La Toja** soaps reached such a point that a German company acquired the brand. For decades, the soap remained a benchmark of quality and tradition. However, time and business decisions brought an unexpected change. Production of the iconic soap on **La Toja** Island ceased in **2008**, marking the end of an era for many consumers who lamented the disappearance of this product with such a rich history.