The Römerbad was a sweat, steam and tub bath and was one of the three public baths in Chernivtsi open all year round (along with the Türkenbad and Sophienbad). It was opened in the 1890s and remained in operation until recently. Located on the corner of Färbergasse 6 and Schulgasse 12, the baths were owned by the Gedaly family.
Ilana Gordon, a descendant of the Gedaly family, recalls the family history surrounding the Römerbad: "My maternal great grandfather Adolf Gedaly opened the Römerbad (a turkish bathhouse) in the late 1800's at 6 Färbergasse. The property is still there and was in use as a bathhouse until recently. My maternal grandfather Gustav Gedaly was a pharmacist by trade and graduated from University with a Chemist Degree […]. Gustav and my great grandmother, Pepi Gedaly ran the Römerbad after Adolf died until it was appropriated by the Russians [in 1940].” 9 February 2011, URL: http://czernowitz.ehpes.com/czernowitz12/testfile2011-1/0704.html
In 1899 the Römerbad was rebuilt and extended. A new stove was installed to “eliminate the unpleasant burning of the steam in the sweat bath” and tiled towelling benches were installed in individual rooms (Bukowinaer Rundschau, 11 August 1899, p. 4). After repairing the war damage caused by the Russian occupation, the baths were reopened on 1 February 1918. The opening hours of the steam baths were different for men and women (men: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., women: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.), while the baths were open to everyone from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
A contemporary witness describes her weekly visits to the Römerbad in the 1930s: My father was a regular customer at the Römerbad and took me along (in the late 1930th) at least once a week. The owner Gustav Gedaly was his best friend […] my memories about the Schwitzbad are linked to the small Faier restaurant located opposite it at the cellar level. Faier had the best parjoale in town […]. My father's Masseur was Vasile and mine was his younger brother Gheorghe who was more gentle than his older brother and did not break any bones. I liked everything there except the Trockenschwitz i.e. the sauna […].“ 8. November 2008, URL: http://czernowitz.ehpes.com/czernowitz12/testfile2008-2/0229.html
Text: Markus Winkler
Former Römerbad
Location of the Römerbad
Former Römerbad
Former Römerbad (from the Side)
Expansion of the Roman Baths (1899)
Criticism of Czernowitz bathing establishments (1905)
Czernowitz Bathing Establishments (Report 1906)
Reopening (1911)
Repairing the damage caused by the war (1918)
Römerbad (Announcement 1918)
