Badhaus Wendelstein, Medieval bathhouse in Wendelstein, Germany
Badhaus Wendelstein is a stone structure built in the 15th century with bathing and sweating rooms on the ground floor and residential spaces above. The layout reflects how a single building served both communal bathing needs and housed the bath master's family.
It was built in 1450 following the destruction caused by the First Margrave War. The building remained in active use for centuries without major alterations, preserving its original form and function.
The bathhouse served as a gathering place where villagers met, bathed, and exchanged news and information with one another. The bath master held an important position in the community, offering knowledge about health and treating the sick alongside daily bathing services.
The building has been relocated to the Franconian Open Air Museum in Bad Windsheim where it can be visited and examined. Take time to explore the original interior spaces and observe how everything was designed for practical efficiency.
It stands among the oldest preserved communal bathhouses in German-speaking regions and offers rare insights into medieval village infrastructure. Its relocation to a museum allowed the original bathing and living spaces to be preserved intact for study and understanding.
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