Emma-Jaeger-Stadtbad, Emma-Jaeger-Straße 20, Pforzheim, Public bathhouse in Pforzheim, Germany
The Emma-Jaeger-Stadtbad is a Neo-Renaissance bathhouse in Pforzheim featuring steep roofs, bay windows, gables, and a tall tower that served as a water reservoir. The complex originally included separate bathing halls along with steam baths and medical treatment facilities for visitors.
Emma Jaeger donated 500,000 Goldmarks to fund the first public swimming pool in Pforzheim, which opened in 1911. This generous gift provided residents with access to modern bathing facilities and health services.
The entrance hall displays original Art Nouveau details, including a mosaic by Julius Müller-Salem showing cherubs and a health fountain. These decorations reflect how visitors of that era saw bathing as part of wellness culture.
Since 2015, the building operates as EMMA Creative Center, housing workshops, offices, and studios for local creative professionals. The site is easily accessible, allowing visitors to admire the exterior architecture and explore the repurposed interior spaces.
The building originally contained separate bathing halls for men and women, along with a designated area for bathing dogs. These facilities show how public baths in the early 1900s were designed as spaces for all social classes.
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