The former “New Baths” in Jastrzębie-Zdrój are beautiful again! The building from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, with unique spa architecture for Upper Silesia, has been renovated and adapted to its new function. From now on, it will serve the residents of the city and the surrounding area as a unique Registry Office and Wedding Palace.
The former spa baths
The building originally served as a sanatorium and was part of the local spa complex. It was opened in 1913 as the so-called “New Baths” (Neues Badehaus). It contained bathing cabins for adults and children, an inhalatorium and hydrotherapy rooms. The central tower housed a brine tank, which flowed into the cabins under its own pressure. In the inter-war period, the facility functioned as Baths III. After nationalisation in 1947, it came under the management of PPU “Ustroń-Jastrzębie” and operated as “Zakład Przyrodoleczniczy Łazienki II”. The therapeutic activity in the facility ended in 1994.
Changing functions and renovations of the building
In 2002, the building underwent modernisation for use by the University of Silesia. The investment of PLN 2.12 million included the replacement of installations, the construction of fire protection and lightning protection systems, and the expansion of the water and sewage infrastructure. The basement housed, among other things, cloakrooms, a buffet, archives and sanitary facilities, while lecture theatres and offices were created on the upper floors. The building served as a Learning Activity Centre until 2007. Since 2010, it has housed the City History Gallery. The building was entered in the register of historical monuments in 1993.
The former “New Baths” from scratch!
The recently completed restoration work focused primarily on preserving and restoring as closely as possible the original character of the historic building, including numerous details. In the main lobby, the historic wall tiles and drinkers were left in place, which served as inspiration for the new interior design. These were given a more representative and elegant character. Major changes were also made to the roof. While it was possible to save and preserve the original trusses, the roof covering needed to be replaced. Thanks to the work, the building now once again boasts a plain tile roof, just as it did over a century ago. The copper flashings and the buffalo-eye dormer have also been restored to their historic appearance. The balustrades, meanwhile, are stylistically similar to elements found in other parts of the former spa. Other new elements include window and door frames and a ramp for people with disabilities.
Investment in the heritage of Jastrzębie-Zdrój
The design for the comprehensive renovation of the monument was prepared by the Architekt Studio Projektowe office from Rybnik, while the construction work was carried out by a consortium of Cora New sp. z o.o. and MMAM sp. z o.o. companies. The restored building fits perfectly and harmoniously into the surroundings of the Zdrojowy Park, referring to the original aesthetics from the early 20th century. The total cost of the investment exceeded PLN 13.5 million. The city received funding to carry out the works from the Regional Operational Programme of the Silesian Voivodeship for 2014-2020, financed by the European Regional Development Fund, in the amount of PLN 875,171.93.
Source: Architekt Studio Projektowe, slazag.pl, jaspedia.jasnet.pl
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