What sort of institution is the setting of Thomas Mann's novel "The Magic Mountain"?

Thomas Mann (1875-1955) is regarded as one of the greats of 20th century German and European Literature.

His novel "The Magic Mountain" - originally "Der Zauberberg" - was first published in 1924. As opposed to, arguably, his other most famous work "Buddenbrooks" which is largely a family saga, it can be read on several different levels, although it, too, has autobiographical elements.

This was an era when TB was still rife in Europe, but those with means, like the Mann family, had mountain sanatoria at their disposal, and he gained first hand experience of one when his wife, Katja, received treatment for a lung complaint.

The ironic twist to the novel, developed from an earlier, shorter work, is that the protagonist, Hans Castorp, is not ailing at all at the start of it, but is visiting his cousin. However, in a manner almost reminiscent of his contemporary Franz Kafka, Mann has his protagonist develop increasingly troubling health conditions of his own (or be persuaded he has) and he ends up as a patient!

The narrative is interspersed with lengthy pieces of philosophical dialogue between four characters as diverse as a Jesuit, a humanist, and a sybarite. He also finds his love interest in the enigmatic Madame Chauchat.

Though darkly humorous in places, there is much sadness in the book, too, as some characters succumb to their illness. At the end, Hans leaves the sanatorium, and it is implied, if not directly stated, he perishes at the front in WW1.