Restored Ancient Roman Bathing Complex
Dresden's Roman Bath at Castle Albrechtsberg, a once-beautiful basin now littered with crumbling sandstone blocks, is set to undergo renovation. Mayor Stephan Kuhn, representing the Greens party, presented the plans on-site, with the city of Dresden and the Free State of Saxony pledging respective initial contributions of one million and half a million euros. The total estimated renovation cost is approximately six million euros.
The initial phase of works, expected to run until 2025, will prepare the way for the reopening of the Elbe access as early as March 2023. Concurrently, restoration work will commence, with no further planning required. The state parliamentarians Albrecht Pallas (SPD) and Thomas Löser (Greens), who had both lobbied for funding, were present at the site presentation, expressing their satisfaction at the commencement of the renovation project.
The first construction phase, costing 3.68 million euros, centers on the western portico, where specialists will restore the sandstone architecture, including the gable with the cross-ribbed vault, and mend damaged sandstone. Steps will be levelled, and under the staircase, WC and technical facilities will be installed.
Further details on the costs, timeline, and phase-two construction, which includes final work on the colonnades, restoration of outdoor areas to a historic design, and the refilling of the water basin, were not immediately available at the time of publication. It was also noted that swimming would not be allowed in this cultural monument.
Built in the late classical style between 1851 and 1854, the palace that houses the Roman Bath was constructed by Adolph Lohse for Prince Albrecht of Prussia. The baths, closed for ten years, should once again become accessible to the public following the completion of the renovation works.
In the planned renovation of Dresden's Roman Bath at Castle Albrechtsberg, sustainable living practices will be embraced as concurrent restoration work begins. This includes the installation of WC and technical facilities under the staircase, promoting a more eco-friendly home-and-garden lifestyle within this historical site. Furthermore, the restoration of outdoor areas to a historic design and the refilling of the water basin aim to encourage a lifestyle that appreciates and preserves the beauty of nature, reflecting the principles of sustainable-living.
