Familienbad Ohlsdorf

The Familienbad Ohlsdorf stands in the Hamburg district of Ohlsdorf. It opened in 1927 as the city’s first public open-air pool without strict gender separation, which is why it was named a ‘family bath’. The original ticket office, designed by Fritz Schumacher, still stands opposite the Ohlsdorf U- and S-Bahn station and is protected as a historic monument. The pool was first filled with water from the nearby Alster river. In 1962 the supply switched to deep groundwater because the river had become too polluted. During the same decade the site was remodelled, replacing the single large pool with two smaller swimming and non-swimming pools, a children’s paddling pool, slides and a diving tower. The 1972 addition of an indoor pool with a 25-metre lane gave year-round use. In 2008 the operator proposed demolishing the outdoor pool and selling part of the land to pay for a new indoor hall. After protests and negotiations with the city and a citizens’ initiative, the old outdoor pool closed at the end of the 2015 season and was torn down. A new indoor pool opened in 2019, featuring a 50-metre lane and a smaller teaching pool with a rising floor. Its glass south wall opens towards the adjoining lawn where swimmers can relax in the sun. Visitors find a modern indoor facility with lanes for serious swimming and a separate teaching pool for lessons. The large windows frame views of the neighbouring lawn, making the space feel open and airy. The historic ticket office remains a landmark by the station entrance. The lawn outside offers space to sunbathe or picnic between swims. The pool’s design balances sport with comfort, creating a place where families can spend the day.