Beach access road at Wannsee Strandbad has been restored following renovation

In the heart of Berlin, the renovation of public baths is underway, with the Paracelsus-Bad in Reinickendorf and the Wannsee Bathing Beach being prominent examples.

The Senate Department for the Interior, Digitalization and Sport of Berlin (Senatsverwaltung für Inneres, Digitalisierung und Sport) is responsible for the renovation of these facilities.

The Paracelsus Bath, currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation, symbolises the challenges faced by Berlin Baths Operations. Delays in its completion are due to the COVID-19 pandemic, additional damage to the building fabric, heritage protection requirements, and the discovery of pollutants. As a result, the bath is not expected to reopen until the second quarter of 2027, later than initially anticipated.

The renovation of the Paracelsus Bath encompasses the facade, windows, technology, changing rooms, sanitary facilities, and an outdoor pool. Many Berlin baths, including the Paracelsus Bath, date back to the 1960s and 1970s and have outdated technical equipment.

Meanwhile, at the Wannsee Bathing Beach, a 500-meter-long foot and cycle path has been renovated, and the renovated path leads from the entrance to the beach, now open for use. The Wannsee Bathing Beach, a significant monument in Berlin, opened in 1907, features a 1.2-kilometer-long sand beach and can accommodate up to 30,000 bathers.

All components of the Wannsee Bathing Beach are under preservation orders, making renovation work subject to special requirements. Preservation orders at some facilities impose additional requirements, such as historically accurate restoration of facades, foyers, or staircases.

The Wannsee Bathing Beach, one of the largest outdoor pools in Europe, boasts beach chairs, sports areas, and a large nudist zone. With a total area of over 355,000 square meters, it offers ample space for relaxation and recreation.

The Berlin Baths Operations have been facing a significant backlog of renovations for years. Damage to the building fabric of Berlin baths is often more extensive than initially expected, and these requirements lengthen planning and construction times and often drive up costs.

Other Berlin baths, such as the Wannsee Bathing Beach, are currently undergoing extensive renovations, ensuring that these historic and beloved facilities continue to serve Berliners and visitors for years to come.