Volksbad Jena
history
The Volksbad in Jena was a public bathing establishment built between 1907 and 1909 by the Jenaer Volksbad-Verein, officially opened on April 13, 1909 and last operated by Jenaer Bäder und Freizeit GmbH .
At that time, public baths were being built in many cities in Europe . The architect Wilhelm Werdelmann , director of the Barmen School of Applied Arts, was selected for Jena . He already had experience building bathrooms and knew how to combine functionality and a contemporary understanding of architecture.
The construction costs amounted to 450,000 marks. The building was financially supported by the Carl Zeiss Foundation , the Sparkasse Jena and the city. The Jenaer Volksbad is an angular building with an off-center tower, stepped gables and bay windows . The facade is made of local limestone . Originally it was equipped with swimming pools, tubs and showers, medicinal baths, laundry and a restaurant.
Between 1983 and 1987 renovations took place, the original equipment was only partially retained. After that - after a ten-year break - bathing was resumed.
Todays use
The bath was finally closed in 2001 and a public discussion began about the sensible use of the building. No commercial usage concept was presented until 2004; the Jena city council decided to use the public bath as a center for culture and education. The bathing hall had already been used as a replacement venue for the Jena Theaterhaus in the 2003/2004 season because the building had to be renovated. Various cultural events followed (e.g. dance festival theater in motion, Jena art market, concerts and readings), which were so successful that the 'new' use was found. During the renovation, it was important to ensure that the former use as a public bath remained legible. In 2007, the Volksbad Jena became the domicile of the city's own JenaKultur . An additional cellar extension was built in the former courtyard area for the Jena Adult Education Center . Furthermore, office, technical and storage rooms were set up. The former bathing hall has been transformed into a multifunctional event room, in which, since the reopening of the public bath on November 30, 2007 B. concerts, readings, balls and congresses take place. Other rooms are used by the adult education center and the administration of JenaKultur.
Web links
Coordinates: 50 ° 55 ′ 30.7 " N , 11 ° 35 ′ 11.8" E