Right across from notorious record store Oye on Oderberger Strasse is the newly-renovated Hotel Oderberger, which first opened in 1898 as a public bathhouse. As an Icelander, I regularly go to my local swimming pool to hang out or exercise. It’s both physically and mentally boosting; an old Icelandic cure for mid-winter blues. So when this pool opened in my neighborhood in Prenzlauer Berg a few months ago, I had to see it. But Stadtbad Oderberger isn’t your regular dip. It has a certain feel to it: The sun beams shine through the windows, and the architecture recalls ancient Roman bathhouses. In fact, the site hasn’t been used as a public bathhouse since 1986. While beautifully restored, the pool is rather shallow at 1.35 meters in depth. Visiting Stadtbad Oderberger and then heading to Oye for some record digging is probably my perfect day. For those more interested in history, a free guided tour of the building takes place every Tuesday at 17h. Meeting point: the Hotel Oderberger reception desk. (Text: Jónbjörn Finnbogason)
Hotel Stadtbad Oderberger, Oderbergerstr.57, 10435 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg; map
Stadtbad Oderberger opening hours: Mon-Sun 7-22h; see here for details
