Wandelhalle (Bad Kissingen)
The Wandelhalle in the Bavarian State Baths Bad Kissingen is 90 meters long and with its floor space of 3,240 square meters, it is the largest drinking spa hall in the world.
history
Building description
The Bad Kissinger Wandelhalle with integrated fountain hall was built in 1910/1911 in just eight months by the Munich architect Max Littmann in the form of a three-aisled basilica . The short construction time of only eight months is due to the use of the solid concrete structure, which was still little tried at the time. The reason for the construction of this “basilica of the cure” was the rapid increase in the number of spa guests at the turn of the century. The then Bavarian Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria had the first plans to replace the former cast-iron fountain hall , in which the elegant spa company was exposed to wind and weather, drafted in 1905, but it was not until 1910 that the construction costs were finally approved and Max Littmann commissioned with the construction. However, this building was only the first phase of a large ensemble of buildings with the expansion of the arcade building , the regent building and additional buildings between the spa garden and the banks of the Franconian Saale (total construction time 1910 to 1914, construction cost 3.5 million marks ).
The 90 meter long nave consists of a high, light-colored central nave and two low side aisles, which are divided by arcades and have windows that reach to the floor. A revolving platform was installed at the head end , which can still be turned outside into the spa garden when the weather is good - but now no longer with manual crank power, but electrically.
In front of the nave is a 70 meter long transverse structure, the longer arm of which, facing the hall, serves as a fountain hall for the drinking cure . Daylight falls from a height of nine meters through the colored lead-glazed roof and gives the room a special atmosphere. The various medicinal waters of Bad Kissingen that can be used for drinking cures flow from the shiny gold pipes made of phosphor bronze and are served to spa guests.
Opening in 1911
At the beginning of the 20th century, this new foyer with an integrated fountain hall fulfilled all the requirements that were set for the " world bath " of that time as a glamorous therapeutic bath with drinking cures. Therefore, its opening on May 1, 1911 was a major social event. Several thousand onlookers had already gathered at 7 a.m. At 7:30 am, the “Wiener Konzertverein”, the forerunner of today's Wiener Symphoniker , opened the festival with a solemn chorale as the Bad Kissinger Kurorchester and then played the prelude to Richard Wagner's “ Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg ” while the revolving stage was in motion for the first time was set.
Renovations around 1950/1978/1999
Although the foyer was spared both in the First and Second World War, an initial renovation was necessary a few years after the Second World War . Because the American occupation troops had used the hall as a repair shop for their tanks and military vehicles.
In 1978 the foyer received underfloor heating . For this purpose, the paving had to be removed from a 40 square meter area in the seating area. The building was also cleaned with the sandblasting blower . The Free State of Bavaria invested a total of 130,000 D-Marks .
In the 1990s, cracks appeared in the walls: the floor had sunk, the foyer threatened to sink into the soft subsoil, which was hollowed out by spring rivers. The reason was the fact that the concrete in the foundation rings placed under the pillars - due to the lack of experience with the new building material at the time - was probably not set correctly and in some of these rings only gravel could be found after 85 years . Therefore, a general renovation of the foyer was necessary in 1999. Experts injected flow concrete into the foundation rings. The facade was cleaned again, a new roof cladding made of coated aluminum was put in place and more than 30 windows were replaced. In close coordination with the State Office for Monument Protection , new tiles were laid inside , the coffered ceiling was given a new coat of paint, modern air heating was installed and a computer-controlled sound system . Lamps with modern technology and lighting effects, but externally based on the originals, were procured. For example, the colorful glass roof of the fountain hall is illuminated from the outside at dusk, so that it can have an effect on the visitor even in the dark. In addition, there is suitable stage lighting for shows. The 15-month renovation - twice as long as the construction time - cost the Free State of Bavaria 13 million Deutschmarks.
Todays use
The foyer with an integrated fountain hall is still used for the original spa purposes. In the fountain hall, as since May 1911, the “fountain women” dispense the various healing waters to their spa guests twice a day (early in the morning and in the afternoon). Also twice a day, on some weekdays even three times with an evening concert, the 13-member spa orchestra plays in front of several hundred listeners. Since its renovation, the foyer is now also used for conferences, company events and similar events.
On May 8, 2011, the Free State of Bavaria and the City of Bad Kissingen will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Wandelhalle in a ceremony.
literature
- The new state buildings in Bad Kissingen. In: Deutsche Bauzeitung , Volume 47, 1913, No. 45 (from June 4, 1913), p. 413 f., P. 416 f. / No. 48 (of June 14, 1913), pp. 437-439 / No. 49 (of June 18, 1913), pp. 441-445.
- Thomas Mäusers: A basilica of spa events. In: Saale-Zeitung of February 12, 2011
- Gerd Betz: General renovation of the Wandelhalle-Regentenbau Bad Kissingen 1998–2005. State Building Authority Bad Kissingen, 2005.
Web links
- 100 years of the Wandelhalle: A gem made of concrete in: Main-Post from April 13, 2011
Coordinates: 50 ° 11 ′ 48.3 " N , 10 ° 4 ′ 36.9" E