Bad.Runde 2026

The old public swimming pool is becoming a “Startbad”—a space that opens the door to new forms of civic engagement.

Bad.Runde – Audio Tour Through a “Lost and Found” Place

The Krefeld City Baths—a place with many faces. Built as a state-of-the-art public bathhouse in the 19th century, the facility later became the birthplace of swimming in Krefeld. Well into the 1960s, this magnificent building enjoyed its golden age—the water in the men’s, women’s, and two outdoor pools was rarely still.

Top swimmers, water polo teams, schoolchildren, and lifeguards all learned, practiced, and trained here.

But then the pool’s future began to look bleak—until finally the doors closed and the pools lay empty. For nearly 20 years. Inspired by a small group of Krefeld residents, the rapidly growing association freischwimmer e.V. began working countless hours to make the indoor and outdoor pool areas accessible again and bring them back to life. The Krefeld City Pool is once again the talk of the town—and its future is being rewritten. Because a pool isn’t just for swimming. 

We’ll take you on a journey through the history of the Neusser Straße municipal pool, share some interesting and little-known facts about its development, and show you what we at freischwimmer e.V. have discovered, developed, and created here over the past few years.

Afterward, you can relax and enjoy yourself at freischwimmer e.V., located in the pool’s former outdoor area, which has now been transformed into a space for relaxation, socializing, culture, and work surrounded by greenery.

Photography is not permitted during the pool sessions.