Stadtbad Neukölln

Stadtbad Neukölln: a Bathing Palace from 1914

The Stadtbad Neukölln on Ganghoferstraße was built between 1912 and 1914 according to plans by Reinhold Kiehl, commissioned by the Rixdorf magistrate and designed after the model of an ancient thermal bath. The result is a swimming pool that looks more like a museum: a domed structure with a skylight, a round plunge pool, mosaics, and columns. Together with the Municipal Public Library next door, the ensemble is a protected monument. In its heyday, up to 10,000 people visited daily, and the building was considered one of Europe’s most beautiful baths. It underwent extensive renovation in 2009. Today, swimming is possible in two halls: The Great Hall has a 25-meter pool, and the Small Hall has a 19-meter pool, both with non-swimmer areas and water depths between 65 centimeters and 2.40 meters.

Sauna Area with Hourly Infusions

The second part of the building is the sauna, which was recently thoroughly renovated. During the work, a historic basin was discovered beneath the modern warm-water pool; the warm-water pool itself was restored in line with its monument status. The Sanarium and old Finnish sauna have been combined into a large cabin with a new infusion oven, where hourly infusions are offered. Additionally, there are a herb sauna, caldarium, steam bath, plunge pool, foot baths, a relaxation area, an outdoor area, as well as massage and gastronomic services. A visit thus combines lap swimming and infusions without changing locations, which is quite valuable on a rainy day in Neukölln. The building is largely barrier-free: barrier-free showers, changing rooms, and toilets, an elevator, and a water lift in the small hall are included, although not all areas of the sauna are wheelchair accessible.