Bedlam
The most infamous asylum is London’s Bethlem Royal Hospital, colloquially known as “Bedlam.” Even centuries later, the word “Bedlam” is still used to denote scenes of uproar or madness, and it is easy to see why. Conditions were squalid and chaotic and the public were encouraged to visit to gawk at the patients as if they were zoo animals.
Asylum tourism became a stream of revenue for the hospital, with the institution charging admission for merchants, prostitutes, and visitors. Swiss travel writer César-François de Saussure toured Bethlem in 1725, and wrote of his experience:
"...you find yourself in a long and wide gallery, on either side of which are a large number of little cells where lunatics of every description are shut up, and you can get a sight of these poor creatures, little windows being let into the doors. Many inoffensive madmen walk in the big gallery. On the second floor is a corridor and cells like those on the first floor, and this is the part reserved for dangerous maniacs, most of them being chained and terrible to behold. On holidays numerous persons of both sexes, but belonging generally to the lower classes, visit this hospital and amuse themselves watching these unfortunate wretches, who often give them cause for laughter. On leaving this melancholy abode, you are expected by the porter to give him a penny but if you happen to have no change and give him a silver coin, he will keep the whole sum and return you nothing."
This practice of tourism and mockery of inmates spread from Bedlam to other asylums in Europe as well, like at the Asylum of St. Anna in Italy (see picture).