The bright laughter of children, the rhythmic strokes of swimmers gliding through the still water, and the distinctive scent of chlorine in the air: swimming baths are places of relaxation, sport, physical culture and cultural diversity. Since 2023, photographer Michael Rathmayr has been exploring the Amalienbad in Vienna's 10th district under the title REMEDY—one of the most significant public buildings of Red Vienna, conceived and built between 1923 and 1926 as a landmark project in the working-class district of Favoriten.
To mark the Amalienbad's centenary, FOTO ARSENAL WIEN transforms the historic swimming baths into an exhibition venue. Around 50 photographs, displayed both inside the building and on the forecourt, intertwine its history with Rathmayr's contemporary images. Combined with historical archival material, they create a multi-layered reflection on the baths at Reumannplatz, the surrounding neighbourhood, and the legacy of Red Vienna. Officially opened on 8 July 1926, the Amalienbad was regarded at the time as the most modern and luxurious indoor swimming baths in Europe. It was conceived as a place of social equality, providing access to hygiene, leisure and health across class boundaries.
Michael Rathmayr reveals the significance of the Amalienbad both as an architectural monument of Red Vienna and as the vibrant social organism it continues to be today. His work encompasses close studies of the building's Art Deco details, portraits of its present-day users, and research into its origins. Photographs of the pools, architectural features, principal spaces and behind-the-scenes areas explore the building's current condition. These are interwoven with material uncovered in the archives of the district and the City of Vienna, creating a visual panorama that connects historical perspectives with the contemporary lives of swimmers and athletes.
Michael Rathmayr (born 1978 in Innsbruck, lives in Vienna) is an internationally active photographer. He studied and worked in London and Hamburg before relocating to Vienna in 2018. His work has been published by media outlets including Die Zeit, Libération and The Wall Street Journal.
A book entitled REMEDY has been published by Nearest Truth Editions.
Address
Amalienbad
Reumannplatz 23
1100 Vienna
Opening Hours – Amalienbad Foyer
3 July – 31 July
Monday–Friday, 7.00 am–7.00 pm
plus Saturday, 11 July, 1.00 pm–7.00 pm
3 August – 23 August
Monday–Friday, 7.00 am–9.00 pm
Saturday, 8.00 am–6.30 pm
Sunday, 8.00 am–5.30 pm
31 August – 6 September
Monday–Friday, 7.00 am–9.00 pm
Saturday, 8.00 am–6.30 pm
Sunday, 8.00 am–5.30 pm
From 24 August to 30 August 2026, only the exhibits on Reumannplatz will be accessible.
Please note: Opening hours are subject to change at short notice. For the latest information, please contact the Amalienbad directly.
