Sopockie Łazienki Południowe i Północne z początku XX wieku

Abstract

The Sopot South and North Baths from the beginning of the 20th century

Sopot has been a seaside health resort for almost 200 years. In 1823 Jean Georges Haffner entered into an agreement with The Prussian Treasury concerning the enlargement of the resort. Thanks to him the first changing rooms, bathing house and bathing beaches were built. Since then Sopot has been virgorously developing, enlarging its population and expanding the spa. In 1903 Sopot gained town rights and the authorities decided it needed complete modernization. In 1903 the new North Baths and the Bathing House were built, in 1907 the South Baths and in 1911 the Spa House was added. The main architect of the first three buildings and design partner of the last was Paul Puchmuller, who designed most of the more important structures in town. The baths were basically changing rooms. They were wooden which made it easy to both assemble and disassemble them on the beach. J. Mylinus and H. Wagner distinguish four types of baths: open moving booths with so called „bathing wheelbarrows”, enclosed stationary baths, enclosed floating baths and open bathing beaches with changing rooms. The bathing wheelbarrows among the baths of the first type, were also found in Borkum and Doberan-Heiligendamm. Bathing beaches of the second and third type were located in quiet surroundings in bays and on rivers, some examples being in Triest Port and in Berlin on the Spree River. The last type of bath was the most popular and was originally built in Doberan-Heiligendamm. Paul Puchmiiller adapted many such elements into both Sopot projects. His main complex was furnished with little towers, between which there were cafes, hair dresser’s etc. Although the other buildings were only four years older, the elevation was completely different between the two. The North Baths were much simpler. The only decor there were flagon shaped helmets on the towers, oval portals and window woodwork. The South Baths’ sculptural elements were extremly rich, quite unique from any other health resort projects of that sort. Bas-reliefs on the elevation and interior are likenesses of animals and fantastic masks, reflecting wooden architecture of Scandinavia. Translated by James Gibbs.