Den Permanente Badeanstalt

In 1933, Aarhus welcomed a new landmark: Den Permanente Badeanstalt. This wasn’t just any bathing spot. It was designed to be, as its name suggests, permanent. Den Permanente Badeanstalt sits gracefully near Riis Skov, a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The idea for a permanent bathing establishment came from a desire to offer a dedicated space for hygiene and enjoyment of the sea. Before Den Permanente Badeanstalt existed, temporary bath houses would appear during summer months, only to be dismantled later. This new structure promised a more reliable and lasting presence on the coast. Interestingly, bath houses had existed in Aarhus since the Middle Ages. However, many were shut down in the 16th century due to concerns about the spread of diseases. The location of Den Permanente Badeanstalt, 2.5 km north of the city center, was carefully chosen. This distance provided a safe separation from the industrial wastewater that plagued the city’s harbor. Even so, Den Permanente Badeanstalt wasn’t entirely immune to pollution. Until as late as 1982, bathers occasionally encountered unpleasant remnants from the nearby Trøjborg sewer outlet, affectionately nicknamed “Marens Rævhul” by locals. Originally, the intention was always for the structure to be permanent. However, the name “Den Permanente” didn’t officially stick until after a significant storm in 1965. This storm ravaged the original structure, prompting its reconstruction on sturdy mole foundations. The horseshoe-shaped design, complete with diving towers, was the brainchild of city architect Frederik Marius Rasmussen Draiby, inspired by similar structures in Germany. While today, Den Permanente Badeanstalt is a vibrant hub for swimming, sunbathing, and leisure, its initial focus was primarily on hygiene and physical fitness. Today, Den Permanente Badeanstalt thrives as a public space during the summer months. In the colder seasons, it becomes the exclusive domain of the 5,000 members of the Jomsborg winter swimming club. They brave the icy waters, continuing a tradition of sea bathing that stretches back centuries in Aarhus.