In the organizer's words:
Surprising art project, venue for the lively ass-bombing contest and popular meeting place for people around Zollverein: the works swimming pool at the coking plant. Created in 2001 by the artists Dirk Paschke and Daniel Milohnic, it symbolizes the structural change in the Ruhr region. Splashing around and swimming in the immediate vicinity of the coke ovens? That was unthinkable when they were in operation.
Positioned in front of the coke oven battery, the 12 × 5 meter pool is one of the most exciting bathing locations in Germany. Where coal used to be baked into coke, two overseas containers welded together are now a summer meeting place in the north of Essen. Entry to the pool is free of charge. The 2.40 meter deep pool is only suitable for swimmers, a lifeguard is on site. Unfortunately, non-swimmers are not allowed in the pool, not even with swimming aids.
Frankfurt artists Dirk Paschke and Daniel Milohnic created the Werksschwimmbad in 2001 as part of the art project "Contemporary Art and Criticism". Since then, the pool in the middle of the impressive industrial architecture has symbolized the structural change in the Ruhr region.
Perfect start to a season full of refreshment, bathing fun and summer fun
The official kick-off will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, with a surprise for particularly early guests: the first 100 visitors can look forward to a free scoop of ice cream from Eiscafé Arnoldo.
More accessibility: swimming fun for all
The Zollverein Foundation is committed to making the Werksschwimmbad and the Arschbomben contest more inclusive. Art and culture should be accessible to everyone. To achieve this, swimmers must be able to get in and out of the pool independently using a pool ladder without assistance. It is also possible to enter the pool level independently, but the steps are not barrier-free, so an assistant may be required.
Questions about the inclusive use of the Werksschwimmbad can be sent to the e-mail address inklusion@zollverein.de.
Please note: The 2.40 meter deep pool is only suitable for swimmers and there is a lifeguard on site. Unfortunately, non-swimmers are not allowed in the pool, not even with swimming aids.
This content has been machine translated.Location
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