The wooden diving tower of the Hangweiher bathing establishment: a story full of rules and new buildings.

The wooden diving tower of the Hangweiher bathing establishment: a story full of rules and new buildings.

a piece of Aachen history: the diving tower on the Hangweiher

In July 2024, the Aachen City Archives presented the archival of the month- the wooden diving tower of the original Batz and swimming facility Hangeweiher. This piece of history tells of a time when the hinge pond was the only place to swim in Aachen. A look at the past and the development of the bathing and swimming facility reveals exciting insights into the history of the city.

The establishment of the bathing and swimming facility on the Hangweiher was regulated by a police dispute in 1856. This determined regulations for the company, including the exclusive use of men, the ban on nude bathing and the supervision by a swimming master. The institution comprised the entire pond, with separate areas for non -swimmers, changing rooms, spray scaffolding and other facilities for bathers.

The history of the Hangeweiher and his bathing establishment was characterized by challenges. Regular maintenance work required floods, muddy and bank damage. In the early 20th century, the existence of the facility was always at stake until 1908 finally created plans for the construction of a new outdoor pool next to the hinge pond.

This new outdoor pool, embedded in the Kaiser-Friedrich Park, should become the focus of a modern residential area. After long delays, the outdoor pool was finally realized after the First World War and is still in operation in the same place. The photo of the wooden diving tower is reminiscent of a past time when the hinge pond was still the center of the bathing life in Aachen.

The story of the diving tower on the Hangweiher is an important piece of Aachen history. It not only shows the development of bathing and swimming facilities in the city, but also the change in public leisure activities over the years. The archival of the month of July 2024 invites you to deal with the past and to recognize the importance of such historical pieces for the cultural heritage of a city.

The Aachen City Archives presents a fascinating piece of past with the wooden diving tower on the Hangeweiher. Interested citizens can explore the archival in the foyer of the city archive on Reichsweg or on the homepage of the archive and thus get an insight into the history of the city.

This article gives an overview of the past of the hinge pond and the development of his bathing and swimming facility. From the first regulations in the 19th century to the construction of the new outdoor pool in the 20th century, the history of the hinge pond tells a lot about the development of public bathing facilities in Aachen.

Although the wooden diving tower can only be found in the archives today, it reminds of a time when the hinge pond was still the center of the bathing life in Aachen. A piece of Aachen history that is worth preserving and researching.

- Nag