Dianabad: A loss that moves the people of Leopoldstadt!

Dianabad: A loss that moves the people of Leopoldstadt!

The Dianabad in Leopoldstadt, one of the most traditional pools in Vienna, has no longer been an adventure pool for five years. The last day of swimming was October 31, 2020, when the operating company announced that operations would be discontinued. While the future of the Dianabad is unclear, there are still sporadic uses and events that keep the pool alive, even if only temporarily. Many Viennese miss the joy and experience that the pool once offered, with its attractions such as the pirate ship, whirlpool and wave pool. MeinBezirk reports that there is now a rowing studio called “Row Inc.” in the former wave pool. has opened its doors.

The history of the Dianabad goes back a long way. It was founded between 1808 and 1810 by Charles de Moreau as a bathhouse with tub baths and opened on July 1, 1810. In 1841, a milestone was set with the construction of the first covered swimming pool in Europe. This swimming pool was an impressive 53 meters long and 20 meters wide, not to mention a pool that was 36 meters long and 13 meters wide. Over the years, the pool has developed into a popular place for leisure events such as concerts and balls - a real social meeting place. Wikipedia) highlights that the famous “On the Beautiful Blue Danube” waltz by Johann Strauss was premiered in the Diana Hall in 1867.

A bath full of memories

The number of bathers increased over the years, and in 1830 the offering was expanded to include numerous bathing cabins and tubs. The pool underwent many changes over the decades, including the construction of a sanatorium in 1874 and the conversion of the inner courtyard into a summer swimming pool in 1879. A second Dianabad was opened in 1917 and offered a mixture of swimming pools and a hotel. But the first and second Dianabad had their ups and downs. After bomb damage in 1945 and a series of defeats, the third Dianabad opened on June 14, 1974 and proved to be the last jewel that continued the bath's tradition. HistoryWiki documents the development of the spa system in Vienna and the importance of facilities such as the Dianabad for the city's history.

Whether the water basins will ever be filled again remains uncertain and gives many Viennese people who grew up with the Dianabad something to think about. A few events have taken place in recent months, but the cloak of nostalgia remains over the former adventure pool. A colorful mix of stories, memories and hopes for a possible revival characterize the discussions about the Dianabad. The question remains - will Vienna ever find a place that revives the unique atmosphere of the Dianabad?