Picture the scene. You stand before the Altes Stadtbad in Augsburg a stunning example of Art Nouveau architecture. This isn’t just any swimming pool. It’s a piece of history a testament to Augsburg’s commitment to public health and leisure.
The Altes Stadtbad opened its doors in 1903. It was a significant event for Augsburg. It was the second indoor public swimming pool in all of Bavaria. The first was in Munich. This Augsburg facility was designed as a Volksschwimmbad a public bath for the people. Before its construction there were already several river baths and private facilities. However a generous donation from the Forster family made this dream a reality. They contributed 300000 gold marks initially boosting the amount to 360000 before construction even began.
The construction wasn’t easy. The ground was swampy causing unexpected delays and cost overruns. The final cost was a whopping 952246 marks. But it was worth it. Upon opening the Altes Stadtbad was considered a major Augsburg attraction. It served as the city’s only indoor pool for nearly 60 years attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. In the 1930s alone it welcomed up to 400000 bathers.
World War II brought damage. Not just to the building itself but to the surrounding area. Post-war rebuilding dramatically altered the landscape surrounding the Altes Stadtbad. The construction of a new four-lane road the Leonhardsberg directly impacted the bath’s surroundings.
The building has seen renovations. In its early years repairs were needed for water damage. Later renovations in the 1920s and 1930s saw some of the original Art Nouveau features removed. Then in the 1980s and 1990s a massive renovation saved the Altes Stadtbad from demolition. This involved fixing some initially undetectable leaks in the stainless-steel lining of the pools. The project cost 24 million marks and was completed in 1992.
The Altes Stadtbad almost faced a different fate. In 2009 there were proposals to sell it to a private investor. However a strong citizen movement successfully opposed this. Over 16000 signatures on a petition saved this historic landmark securing its continued operation under the city’s management.
Today the Altes Stadtbad continues to welcome visitors. It features two swimming pools a cafe a sauna and other wellness amenities. It remains a cherished community asset a beautiful relic of the past that continues to thrive in the present. It’s a place where the echoes of history blend with the splash of modern-day swimmers. A timeless treasure indeed.