Volksbad – Public baths
Mannheims „Zentral-Bad und Schwimmanstalt“ – Mannheim’s ‘central baths and swimming fcility‘
Die Stiftung Bernhard Herschels – The Bernhard Herschel Foundation
Designed in the spirit of Art Nouveau with towering domes and exquisite ceramics on the walls, the Herschelbad was opened in Mannheim’s Quadraten after the First World War. It was built thanks to a donation of 500,000 gold marks, which the merchant and city councillor Bernhard Herschel (1837-1905) left to the city in his will. In addition to the men’s and women’s baths, the most modern and luxurious bathing establishment in 1920 also had a mixed family pool with a separate entrance. In addition to the three indoor swimming pools and the obligatory bathtubs, it also offered the public a steam bath, massage rooms, a hairdresser, a dog bath and even a public library and laundry. Preserving the Herschelbad as a prototype of a municipal meeting centre is now a major challenge for the city due to the upcoming general refurbishment.
A merchant with a broad outlook, a great merchant of the good old fashioned type, who never lost sight of the general goals above the interests of his own office. One of those exemplary figures of the local bourgeoisie who gladly put their skills at the service of the community and sacrificially donated their wealth to charity and the common good.’
Friedrich Walter on the founder Bernhard Herschel, 1952
Architectural model of the Herschel Baths by Alexander Mitsch, 2007
Private property
Bench from the Herschelbad Mannheim, around 1920
City of Mannheim, Department of Sport and Leisure
Clock from the Herschelbad Mannheim, around 1920
City of Mannheim, Department of Sport and Leisure
Waterwings from the Herschelbad Mannheim, around 1935
City of Mannheim, Department of Sport and Leisure
Barber sign from the Herschelbad Mannheim, around 1920
City of Mannheim, Department of Sport and Leisure
Drone flight through the Herschelbad Mannheim on the occasion of the 100th anniversary celebrations, film contribution 2020
City of Mannheim, Department of Sport and Leisure
Rössle Schimmer – Rössle-Horse-swimmers
Die Schwimmabteilung des MTV Stuttgart – The swimming department of the MTV Stuttgart
The emergence of ‘public baths’ in the second half of the 19th century encouraged the founding and activities of swimming clubs. When Stuttgart’s municipal swimming pool near the Liederhalle was opened in 1889, the civic ‘Männerturnverein’ (MTV) Stuttgart offered its members discounted admission tickets. However, at the beginning of the 20th century, the MTV fought with other clubs for space in the pool. Competitors insinuated that only a few of the MTV swimmers would actually use the training time granted to them. Richard Marschner, the head of the swimming department, then decorated the MTV swimming trunks with the Stuttgart Rössle – or horse. Although it was mocked as a ‘donkey’, it attracted attention and emphasised the presence of the MTV swimmers in the pool.
Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg Hauptstaatsarchiv Stuttgart
The swimming department of the MTV Stuttgart in the Stuttgart Büchsenbad, around 1922
MTV Stuttgart 1843 e. V.
