Ever wondered where the first combined indoor and outdoor swimming pool in Germany was built? It’s right here at the Fössebad in Hanover.
The Fössebad has a long and interesting history. It began in 1838 as a river swimming pool. This pool was located in the undeveloped area on the Fösse. The Fösse is a small river marking the border between Limmer and Linden.
Initially, the fluctuating water level of the Fösse River posed a challenge. In 1854, the bathing area was dammed to ensure a consistent water supply. The water was quite salty due to washouts from the Egestorffshall and Neuhall salt works. This earned the pool the nickname “Solebad” meaning brine bath.
In 1876 the bath was expanded after a change of ownership. It became a 150-meter-long and 30-meter-wide swimming pool. The surrounding area was transformed into a park. Sadly, the privately operated Fössebad closed in 1955 because the Fösse River became too polluted.
But the story of the Fössebad doesn’t end there. In 1955, the city council decided to create a large indoor and outdoor swimming pool complex in this area. From 1956 to 1960, under the guidance of Heinz Goesmann, the municipal Fössebad was built. The cost was five million DM. It became the first combined indoor and outdoor pool in West Germany.
The Fössebad included a large swimming hall. It featured a 12.5 x 25-meter pool with depths ranging from 1.90 to 3.98 meters. A 1–3-meter diving facility was also available. There was even a gallery for 150 spectators. A separate learner’s pool measuring 6 x 12.5 meters existed too. A sauna with a green inner courtyard and outdoor plunge pool added to the amenities. The outdoor pool covered 1100 square meters. It was designed for non-swimmers, but it closed in 2012.
In the 1980s, delayed renovations threatened the Fössebad with closure. Protests and petition drives followed. In 1993, the Fössebad-Betriebs GmbH was founded. This company took over sponsorship from the city of Hanover. Four years later, they renovated the roof structures, water treatment plants, and glass front.
The Förderverein Fössebad was founded in 2005. Its goal was to preserve the Fössebad for the public, schools, and clubs.
In September 2017, the Hanover city council decided to demolish and rebuild the Fössebad. The rebuilt facility is intended to serve as a competition venue for performance sports. It will be an alternative to the Stadionbad, which will be closed for renovations for an extended period in the early 2020s. Discussions are still underway regarding the timeline for demolition and reconstruction. The future of the alternative music center Béi Chéz Heinz, located in the former bicycle basement of the Fössebad is also uncertain. There are also debates about the size of the new Fössebad grandstand. It might be suitable for Champions League water polo games. In the autumn of 2018, a majority in the council supported building a new outdoor pool. This would restore the Fössebad to its original combined pool design.
The Fössebad stands as a testament to Hanover’s commitment to recreation. It shows the city’s ability to adapt and modernize while preserving its history.