Frauenbad at Stadthausquai

The art nouveau open-air bathing facility at Stadthausquai still remains the exclusive domain of female guests to this day. Here women can swim while enjoying a fabulous view of the Grossmünster, the Wasserkirche, and the adjacent Old Town.

The water flows from Lake Zurich into the River Limmat not far from here and is extremely clean. The two over 30m (98ft)-long pools – for both swimmers and non-swimmers – enable guests to enjoy a refreshing dip, while a small library provides reading material for a relaxed day by the water.

There is also a kiosk selling snacks and beverages. On three evenings a week, the bathing facility is transformed into the Barfussbar (“Barefoot Bar”), which is also open to men.

History/Architecture

In 1837, the first “public bathing house for women” was constructed by the entrenchment of the old city fortifications (“Bauschänzli”). This was used for personal hygiene rather than as a leisure pastime, as at that time many households still did not have running water. In 1888, the bathhouse was renovated in art nouveau style, crowned with a cupola and with four small turrets at the corners. The wooden construction floats on the river and is anchored to the quayside.