Weinlache

Was it a dream, this grand swimming paradise? Right here, where the Neisse River once flowed, stood the Weinlache bathing establishment. The Weinlache, meaning “wine puddle”, wasn’t about wine at all. It was a tranquil, lifeless branch of the Neisse River. Imagine a warm summer day in 1907. The air buzzes with excitement as the newly opened Weinlachebad welcomes its first visitors. This wasn’t just a simple dip in the river. The city transformed the Weinlache into a proper lido. Workers dredged the riverbed and carted in fresh river sand to create a beach-like experience. A striking wooden structure with a bold red tiled roof housed the baths. Inside, a central hall greeted guests, complete with a cashier and a refreshment room. Separate bathing sections for ladies and gentlemen ensured everyone felt comfortable. The ladies’ section, always a point of interest, overlooked the picturesque Leschwitz, later renamed Weinhübel in 1936. A cozy restaurant offered respite from the sun. This architectural marvel stood partly on solid ground and partly on 56 sturdy pilings driven into the riverbed. Atop the central section, a grand clock kept watch over the bathers below. Imagine descending from the building onto the floating part of the bath. Clever steps adjusted to the water level, ensuring easy access no matter the river’s whims. Secured by strong anchors, this floating section wouldn’t be swept away by floods. Rails prevented it from bumping into the building. For the less confident swimmers, the Weinlachebad had a special treat: a non-swimmers’ pool with a gradually sloping bottom, adjustable by winches. 15 bathing cells on each side, facing the sun, offered privacy. And for the adventurous? Two diving platforms, one on each side. The gentlemen’s tower, a towering ten meters high with multiple platforms, offered a thrilling plunge into the five-meter deep water. Ladies enjoyed their slightly shorter but equally deep diving platform. The Weinlachebad, a testament to Görlitz’s love for leisure and luxury, sadly met its end after World War II. Demolished after the redrawing of the border, only a few silent wall remnants whisper the story of the glorious swimming paradise that once was.