Merkel'sches Schwimmbad, Esslingen

Merkel'sche Schwimmbad, an indoor swimming pool in Esslingen am Neckar, is one of the last surviving Art Nouveau indoor swimming pools in Germany and was built from 1905 to 1907 according to design and execution plans by the Giessen architect Hans Meyer.

The bath was donated by the factory owner Oskar Merkel for the people; he was subsequently made an honorary citizen of the city of Esslingen. In addition to a swimming pool, it also provided shower and tub baths for workers, whose apartments usually did not have bathrooms at the time.

The structure was remodeled in the 1960s and expanded to include a sports pool and a teaching pool; during the renovation, the ceiling was suspended, compromising the original architectural concept.

In the course of renewed renovation work, which was largely completed in 2006, the Art Nouveau elements were restored to their original state - as far as possible - and the bathing and wellness facilities were adapted to current needs. The warm bathing hall now uses mineral water heated to 34 °C that came to light during new drilling.

The hall today once again features the original high stucco ceiling and a stained glass window depicting an Italian coastal landscape. The six-lane sports pool has been preserved as it was built in the 1960s and also has stained glass windows. The instructional pool is still available for non-swimmers.