The Pool on the Rocks
Nestled at the foot of the iconic Petersberg near Halle, the Bergbad Petersberg was once one of the region’s most beloved summer destinations. Opened in the late 1960s, the open-air pool complex formed part of a broader leisure area that included the television tower, an animal park, the Waldbühne open-air stage, and wide recreation grounds. For decades, it was a place where generations of families spent their summers swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing with a view over the Saale valley.
The Bergbad Petersberg was built during the late 1960s, at a time when
East Germany was investing in public leisure facilities and community recreation.
The Petersberg area, already a local attraction thanks to its scenic location and the newly constructed TV tower, was chosen as the perfect site for a large outdoor swimming complex. The facility featured three main pools: a large eight-lane competition pool with diving platforms, a non-swimmer pool with a popular water slide, and a paddling pool for children. Wide lawns surrounded the pools, and visitors could enjoy volleyball, table tennis, or simply sunbathe. A pavilion served snacks and drinks, and music often played through loudspeakers — creating the lively, holiday atmosphere that regular guests fondly remember to this day.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Bergbad Petersberg flourished. It wasn’t just a swimming pool — it was a social hub. Families from the surrounding villages and from Halle came here by bus, bicycle, or even on foot to spend their weekends and holidays. School classes and company groups used the site for sports days and outings.
During this time, minor renovations and maintenance kept the complex in good shape. Photographs and postcards from the era show a crowded pool with brightly colored umbrellas, children lining up for the slide, and lifeguards watching from the deck. On hot summer days, hundreds of visitors would fill the lawns.
Following German reunification in 1990, many publicly owned leisure facilities in the region faced an uncertain future. The Bergbad was no exception. Maintenance costs rose sharply, and new safety and water quality standards required expensive upgrades. Local budgets were tight, and visitor numbers began to decline as newer indoor and adventure pools opened in Halle and other nearby towns.
Nevertheless, local residents were determined to save their beloved Bergbad. A support association (Förderverein) was founded in the mid-1990s to organize renovation efforts and raise funds. Volunteers cleaned the grounds, repaired fences, and carried out smaller technical improvements. For several years, the association managed to keep the facility running through sheer community spirit.
Despite all efforts, operating the pool became increasingly difficult. After a final summer season, the Bergbad Petersberg closed in 2001. Without regular maintenance, nature quickly reclaimed the site. The pools filled with rainwater, algae, and leaves; trees grew through the cracked tiles; and the old changing rooms began to decay.
Over time, the site turned into a “lost place”, attracting photographers and urban explorers fascinated by the mix of nostalgia and decay. The abandoned pool became a silent reminder of the region’s changing leisure culture.
During the 2000s and 2010s, several ideas and proposals emerged to bring new life to the site. Some envisioned a holiday park or campground, others proposed a modernized outdoor pool or combined recreation area. However, most of these plans stalled due to high renovation costs, environmental regulations, and a lack of investors.
Still, the Bergbad never completely disappeared from local memory. Old photographs and stories were shared online, and community members continued to express the wish to see the area revived.
In recent years, the story of the Bergbad Petersberg has taken a new turn. A renewed local initiative and support group has formed, this time with backing from the municipality and regional development funds. In 2024 and 2025, feasibility studies and funding applications have been launched to explore options for a sustainable future for the site.
The ideas range from restoring part of the swimming facilities to developing a multi-purpose recreation area with nature trails, family activities, and cultural events. Whether the original pools will ever reopen for swimming remains to be seen — but the spirit of the Bergbad lives on in the community’s dedication to preserving this historic place.
For many residents, the Bergbad Petersberg is more than just a swimming pool — it’s a symbol of shared memories and community identity. Generations learned to swim here, spent long summer afternoons with friends, or enjoyed their first diving experience from the high board. Even in its current overgrown state, the site continues to evoke nostalgia and pride.
The story of the Bergbad reflects broader changes in regional life: from postwar optimism and community building in the 1960s, through the transformation after reunification, to today’s search for new forms of sustainable local recreation. Its history connects the past and the future — and reminds everyone that even abandoned places can find new life when a community comes together.
Visited: May 18, 2021
Location: Petersberg, Germany
Status: Abandoned
