100 years of Waldbad Schmiedefeld: Anniversary delights guests from the region!

100 years of Waldbad Schmiedefeld: Anniversary delights guests from the region!

On July 7th, 2025, the Waldbad Schmiedefeld was in a party mood! The special occasion? The outdoor pool celebrated its 100th anniversary and the forest pool friends had put together a colorful program. There were not only Schmiedefelder there, but also many bathers and friends who had traveled from far away, even from Erfurt. Despite mild temperatures that couldn't keep up with the usual 30 degrees, the number of guests was almost twice as high as on normal summer days, when the pool had around 200 visitors. This anniversary attracted a truly large crowd.

But what makes Waldbad Schmiedefeld so special? The history of the pool goes back a long way, and while the region often takes refuge in the outdoor pools in summer when the temperatures are high, the forest pool is a fixture in the local community. Outdoor swimming pools like the one in Schmiedefeld have a centuries-old tradition in Germany that goes back to the 19th century. Industrialization gave bathing a real boom, which was intended to contribute to the promotion of hygiene. An early example of an outdoor swimming pool is the Lorettobad in Freiburg im Breisgau, which opened its doors in 1842 and is considered the oldest outdoor swimming pool in Germany.

Festivities and activities

For the Waldbadfreunde's anniversary, a great program was put together that thrilled both young and old. And that's just the beginning! There are still numerous planned events around the forest pool to ensure the entertainment of the public. As in many other pools, action days and family celebrations are organized to offer something for everyone. For example, the Waldbad Hilden celebrated its 100th birthday two years ago with an impressive program that included performances by the Cologne Bombs and various water activities.

Highlights such as a four-meter-long birthday cake being cut and a DJ at a pool party caused a sensation. Such events are a valuable opportunity to reinforce pools as popular recreational destinations, especially as temperatures rise and people long to cool off. Visitors can relax while swimming while taking part in exciting competitions and activities. It was no different in Schmiedefeld - the combination of water fun and community is very important here.

The forest bath in today's time

The trend is clearly in the direction of outdoor pools becoming increasingly popular as places to relax. The high humidity and temperatures in the 30 degree range mean that large groups of people gather in these facilities on weekends. Outdoor pools are not just a place to swim, but also part of the community. The Waldbad Schmiedefeld is a place where generations come together, and the countless memories that have been collected here over the years are priceless.

In a time when digitalization and technical facilities dominate, the natural charm of outdoor pools remains very popular. People are looking for a place to unwind and enjoy nature. Outdoor pools represent this enjoyment - be it splashing around with friends, relaxing on the lawn or enjoying a cool drink at the edge of the pool.

It remains to be hoped that the Waldbad Schmiedefeld will remain open to its bathers for many years to come and that the next generation of swimmers will have just as good a time here as the previous ones did. Because one thing is certain: the history of outdoor pools in Germany is exciting, and each one has its own unique story to tell. The Waldbad Schmiedefeld is one of these stories that remains alive and is celebrated. Read more about this on insuedthueringen.de, deinhilden.de and take a look at more historic outdoor swimming pools in Germany nationalgeographic.de.