Craving a refreshing dip in history? Right here stands the Georg-Arnhold-Bad. This isn’t just a swimming pool. It’s a landmark with a story as deep as its diving pool once was.
The Georg-Arnhold-Bad first opened its doors in 1926. Imagine Dresden in the Roaring Twenties. The city buzzed with life. Sports were becoming increasingly popular. The nearby Ilgen-Kampfbahn stadium had just been completed.
A local Jewish banker and philanthropist named Georg Arnhold stepped forward. He provided funds to build a public bath. Sadly, inflation hit. Arnhold donated more money. His generosity made the Georg-Arnhold-Bad a reality.
The grand opening was a spectacle. Music filled the air. Think Weber, Schumann and Bach. There were swimming demonstrations. Schools competed. Divers showed off their skills from a ten-meter tower. Germany’s best swimmer, Erich Rademacher, took the first plunge. Soon after its opening the Georg-Arnhold-Bad was open to the public.
The Georg-Arnhold-Bad was designed by city architect Paul Wolf. He envisioned a space for youthful energy. His opening speech declared it. He hoped it would be a place where a new generation could thrive.
The original pool was massive. It stretched 100 meters long and 30 meters wide. It had sections for swimmers and non-swimmers. A 1.4-meter-wide foot bath ran around the pool. It even doubled as a place to spit. A diving tower loomed with platforms at 3, 5 and 10 meters. There were grandstands for 5,000 spectators. Two gatehouses and sandstone steles completed the picture. One stele featured a relief of Hermann Ilgen.
Interestingly, the Georg-Arnhold-Bad initially lacked modern filtration. The city considered using algae, snails, and trout to keep the water clean. The design aimed for harmony. The Georg-Arnhold-Bad blended into the surrounding greenery. Buildings were single-story. This preserved views of Dresden’s Old Town. The buildings sported a light green exterior. The interior had flesh tones, reds, oranges and exposed concrete.
The Georg-Arnhold-Bad quickly became popular. Entrance fees were affordable. Opening hours stretched from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Swimming lessons became mandatory in Dresden schools.
In 1930, the Georg-Arnhold-Bad hosted an international swimming competition. Germany faced Hungary. The German Swimming Championships took place here in 1932.
Georg Arnhold funded three-quarters of the construction. The city named the bath after him. However, in 1934, the Nazi regime renamed it Güntzwiesenbad. Jewish citizens were banned from entering beginning in 1935.
In 1945, city officials requested the Georg-Arnhold-Bad be repaired immediately. It reopened shortly after.
Three years later, the Georg-Arnhold-Bad regained its original name. The 100-meter pool was divided in the 1950s. This created a 25-meter short course and a 50-meter long course. Major renovations occurred between 1994 and 1997. The long pool disappeared. Smaller pools replaced it. The Georg-Arnhold-Bad became a modern complex. It combined indoor and outdoor swimming. Georg Arnhold’s grandsons contributed to the renovation.
In 2018, Campino, the singer of the band Die Toten Hosen, visited the Georg-Arnhold-Bad. This happened after a concert. This sparked a public night swimming event.
Today, the Georg-Arnhold-Bad offers much more than just swimming. There is a solar-heated pool. A 93-meter water slide is available. There is also a large adventure pool. You can relax in the sauna landscape. It is called “Sweating Among Old Masters”.
The Georg-Arnhold-Bad stands as a testament. It is a testament to both generosity and resilience. It is a place where history and recreation meet. It is a reminder of Dresden’s past. It also looks forward to the future.