Badfest Hirschberg (Saale)

Hirschberg an der Saale

Hirschberg an der Saale is located in the southernmost part of Thuringia, directly on the border with Bavaria and Saxony, in the Saale-Orla district. The small town with around 2,000 inhabitants is named after the historic Hirschberg Castle, which towers high above the Saale valley. In summer, the outdoor pool is one of the most important meeting points in the town — and the annual Badfest is the social highlight of the swimming season.

The Outdoor Pool as a Social Hub

Like many small municipalities, Hirschberg is fighting for the preservation of its outdoor pool — municipal swimming pools are in financial distress, and many pools in Central Germany have been closed in recent years. The Friends of the Hirschberg Outdoor Pool have been committed to its preservation for years, organizing events and collecting donations. The Badfest is its most important source of income and, at the same time, an intergenerational family festival.

Program

The Badfest combines swimming with Volksfest (traditional folk festival) elements: swimming competitions for children and adults, belly flop contests, diving board tournaments, volleyball tournament on the sunbathing lawn. In addition, food stalls with bratwurst, fries, ice cream, and cold drinks, a coffee table with homemade cake from the women of Hirschberg, a bouncy castle, and face painting for children. A small live band or a DJ provides the musical accompaniment. The proceeds go to the Friends of the Outdoor Pool for its maintenance.

Saale-Orla District as a Region

Hirschberg is located in the southern Saale-Orla district, one of the most scenically diverse regions of Thuringia. Here, the Saale valley flows into the Frankenwald, and the altitudes reach 700 meters. The region is known for its hiking trails along the Saale, Burgk Castle, the Bleiloch Dam, and the holiday resorts in the southern Schiefergebirge. Visitors to the Badfest can combine their stay with outdoor activities and cultural discoveries.