Městské lázně Zábrdovice

Městské lázně Zábrdovice (Zábrdovice Municipal Baths) is a functionalist bathhouse in Brno's Zábrdovice district, designed by architect Bohuslav Fuchs and built between 1931 and 1932. It replaced an older spa dating back to 1882, which had operated with three brick pools fed by a small stream running through the nearby garrison hospital into the Svitava River.

Why did Brno need a public bathhouse?

In the 1930s, only about a third of Brno's apartments had basic hygienic facilities — a proper bathroom with running hot water was still a rarity. The city's waterworks administration responded by planning a network of municipal baths across the city, particularly for residents of outlying districts who had nowhere else to wash. A competition for the new building in Zábrdovice was announced in 1929, and Fuchs's winning design was carried out over the following three years, with some modifications requested by the client.

What did the building offer?

The complex was split into summer and winter sections. The winter wing housed steam baths, a massage area, tubs and showers, plus a terrace for sunbathing. The raised ground floor contained the hydrotherapy section — pools of warm and cold water along with hot-air and steam baths, open year-round and supplied with therapeutic mud and water brought from the spa springs of Luhačovice in eastern Moravia. The upper floors held bathrooms and showers meant for everyday hygiene, serving Brno residents whose own homes lacked running water.

How has the building changed over time?

In 1938, the winter gardens were converted into rest areas next to the bathing pools. Before 1963, the facade was significantly altered: the original striped, four-part steel windows were replaced with five-part ones, and sections of the walls were filled in with glass-block panels. The winter baths closed in the 1980s and the building has been deteriorating ever since, despite the city's ongoing efforts to decide on a new use for it.

What can visitors see today?

Only the outdoor part of the complex is open to the public — a summer swimming area (Koupaliště Zábrdovice) that still operates seasonally. The bathhouse building itself, regarded as one of the key works of Brno functionalism associated with Bohuslav Fuchs, has stood unused for decades and is not open for regular visits, though occasional guided tours take place, including during the Open House Brno festival.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed Městské lázně Zábrdovice? The building was designed by Bohuslav Fuchs, one of the leading figures of Brno functionalist architecture.

When was the bathhouse built? The current building dates from 1931–1932, replacing an earlier spa facility from 1882.

Can visitors still use the baths? No — the winter bathhouse has been closed since the 1980s. Only the adjacent summer swimming area remains open to the public.

Where did the therapeutic water come from? The hydrotherapy pools were supplied with medicinal water and mud brought from the spa springs of Luhačovice.