Bathers and Pool Attendant at Frauenbad, 1893

Bathers and Pool Attendant at Frauenbad, 1893

Frauenbad Stadthausquai is a public bath in Zürich, Switzerland, being part of the historical the Seeuferanlage promenades that were built between 1881 and 1887.[1] Situated at the Stadthausquai respectively the Bürkliplatz plaza, the bath was built and still exclusively used by women (Frauenbad means bath for women).

Geography[edit]

The small river bath is situated at Bürkliplatz respectively Quaibrücke, just a few steps southernly of the artificial Bauschänzli island, in the Limmat. Road transport on Stadthausquai towards Münsterhof is limited; the next Tram stop is at Bürkliplatz or Münsterbrücke, opposite of the upper Limmatquai towards Bellevueplatz.

History and description[edit]

Zürich' government decided in 1837, to build a public bath for women, to prevent that "they are no longer forced to bath at night in the fountains" and to protect them from the eyes of men. The former structure at the Bauschänzli was replaced in 1888, then the nostalgic Laubsägeli (literally: fretsaw) bath, due to its oriental curved corner turrets. The inset basin was covered in the first years with a braided roof to keep noble pallor. Steeped in history, moored on the river Limmat, the small wooden bath is well arranged and personally – just for women. In the 34 metres (112 ft) pool is a non-swimming section; free swimming in the Limmat is prohibited.