Former Altchemnitz river baths
On 20 December 2024, the intervention area "Former Altchemnitz River Baths" was completed as part of the Capital of Culture project "City by the River". The result is a versatile public green space with a pedestrian bridge. The newly designed site creates space for recreation, exercise and experiencing nature directly on the Chemnitz.
Pedestrian bridge completed
Another intervention area of the European Capital of Culture 2025 was completed on 20 December 2024. The new public green space at the former Flussbad, at Schulstraße 60 in Altchemnitz, including the new pedestrian bridge, is now open for use.
The leisure and recreation area with the 61 metre long and 2.5 metre wide steel pedestrian bridge connects the districts of Altchemnitz and Markersdorf. Various recreational areas with different functions have been created on both sides of the river.
In addition to the planting of 42 trees and 415 shrubs, new path connections, equipment elements and design and information objects have been created and round off the design of the public green space at the former river baths. The construction costs, including compensatory measures, totalled around 2.5 million euros. The project was financed with Capital of Culture funding from the federal and state governments.
Riverness
The "Flussness" area on Schulstraße is dedicated to active recreation. Young and old alike can go running, inline skating, scootering or cycling there. To this end, a leisure area with outdoor fitness equipment, playable elements and a curved circular path was created next to the entrance square. On the other side of the river, the riverside path in the area of the demolished swimming pool leads through the "Luftbad" wind water. Even from a distance, you can see the striking bathing equipment glowing red between the treetops.
Wellnitz
The "Wellnitz", consisting of four wave-shaped wooden decks that invite you to sunbathe, linger and relax, is another feature that gives the new riverside pool its identity. To make this pleasant in summer too, shade trees and groups of trees were planted to create cosy places to relax.
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Tradition river bathing
River bathing has a long tradition in Chemnitz. At least since the opening of the municipal "river, air, sun and swimming pool" on the Chemnitz in today's Altchemnitz district in 1922, the place has been extremely popular with bathing enthusiasts. For decades, the riverside pool was one of the most popular open-air swimming pools in the city of Chemnitz. 20 years after the complete dismantling of the bathing facilities, which were severely damaged by the 2002 floods, there was nothing left to remind us of this tradition, a place that had seemingly fallen into oblivion. This has changed with the creation of the "Former Altchemnitz river baths" intervention site.
The southern city park
The southern city park was laid out from 1910 by horticultural director Otto Werner and represents a "green corridor" from Chemnitz city centre to the foothills of the Ore Mountains.
The area south of today's Südring was not completed due to the war and was later used as the Altchemnitz riverside baths. After the river baths were abandoned and the pedestrian bridge there was demolished, this part of the city park was only accessible for recreation to a limited extent and showed clear maintenance deficits - also from an ecological point of view.
However, as the Würschnitz and Zwönitz rivers join to form the Chemnitz in the immediate vicinity, this site represents a central intervention area of the Capital of Culture project "Stadt am Fluss".
Looking back: Lifting in the pedestrian bridge
On 25 June 2024, the new pedestrian bridge was lifted into place at the location of the former bridge in the former Altchemnitz river baths. The bridge is an integral steel structure around 61 metres long and 2.5 metres wide. It was assembled from three bridge segments in three hours. This re-establishes a connection between the southern part of the city park and the housing estates to the east of the Chemnitz.
In addition, various usable recreational areas will be created between Schulstrasse and the city park. A dynamic and active sports area will be created in the entrance area on Schulstrasse. In the area of the city park, on the other hand, individual seating elements and design accents reminiscent of the former river pool invite people to linger and relax.
The planting of 42 standard trees and 415 shrubs as well as the creation of a wet meadow with an area of around 3,500 square metres round off the design of the public green space at the former Flussbad. Particular attention is being paid to the sustainable and ecological maintenance of this part of the city park - even beyond the Capital of Culture year 2025. Recreation, flood protection and nature conservation are to enter into a fruitful symbiosis here in the long term.
In compliance with the strict requirements of the Lower Nature Conservation Authority and the Lower Water Authority, a park with a high quality of stay will be created that re-establishes the connection to the river and the surrounding landscape.
Citizen participation
On 21 June 2023, interested citizens, primarily from the districts of Altchemnitz and Markersdorf, were invited to an information event followed by a discussion in the open space next to the farm building at Schulstraße 60. Representatives of the City of Chemnitz and the Saxony State Reservoir Administration presented the current planning status, provided insights into drafts and details and informed about the construction schedule. Afterwards, those present were invited to contribute their suggestions and ideas.