Solbad Raffelberg, Architectural heritage site in Speldorf, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.
Solbad Raffelberg is an architectural complex in Speldorf comprising multiple connected buildings with an entrance pavilion designed by Arthur Pfeifer and Hans Großmann. The site today contains various businesses and cultural spaces within its unified grounds.
The complex began in 1855 when miners discovered a naturally warm salt spring at the site, prompting the creation of bathing facilities for workers. Over the following decades it transformed from a mining health facility into an entertainment and cultural venue.
The grand ballroom that once hosted guests now serves as a theater venue, transforming how people experience the space today. This shift shows how the building adapted to meet changing cultural needs over time.
The complex is located in a residential neighborhood and accessible by public transit with good connections throughout the city. Outdoor areas are freely accessible while specific venues inside require separate arrangements to visit.
The facility received salt water through a pipeline stretching several kilometers from a nearby mine, creating a direct link between the bath complex and mining operations underground. When the mine closed, this supply line ended, disconnecting the site from its original purpose and forcing a complete reinvention.
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