Ostseetherme

OstseeTherme Usedom is a brine bath on the Baltic island of Usedom, in the imperial resort of Heringsdorf. According to the operator, the thermal bath has welcomed over 3.7 million guests since it opened in March 1996. Its defining feature is the locally sourced Heringsdorfer Jodsole (iodine brine), which is used across several of the bathing pools and in the on-site treatment facilities.

Thermal water and brine source

The Kaiserbaeder of Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf and Bansin sit above one of the few saline springs in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The site states that the brine is drawn from a well close to the Heringsdorf pier at a depth of 408 metres, carries a salt content of approximately 4%, and is classified as a medium-strength brine. It is transported about 1.5 kilometres from the source to the thermal bath, has been used at OstseeTherme Usedom since 1996, and is continuously monitored. Several pools use a 1-percent iodine-brine dilution.

Pools

The Badewelt includes an indoor Solebecken (brine pool) of 129 m2 at 32-33 C with 1% iodine brine, massage loungers, massage jets and underwater seating. A 101 m2 Bewegungsbecken (therapy pool) at 32.5-33.5 C with 1% brine adds a counter-current unit and neck fountain, with restricted use during therapies. An 89 m2 outdoor pool (Aussenbecken) also runs at 32.5-33.5 C with 1% brine. The 284 m2 main pool (Grosses Becken) is kept at 29-30 C with a depth of 1.30 m and features two 6-metre slides, massage jets, floor air bubblers and neck fountains.

Family and children's areas

The indoor Wassergarten (92 m2, 29-30 C) is a children's water garden with a small slide, water-spouting animal figures, a waterfall and a hippo slide, while an 11 m2 baby pool is kept at 32-33 C. Two steam rooms are operated at 40-55 C with 80-100% humidity.

Sauna world

The Saunawelt combines indoor and outdoor saunas. Indoors there is a Biosauna at about 70 C with scent essences and colour-light therapy, and an 80-degree sauna at about 80 C with regular staff infusions. Two outdoor log-cabin saunas run at about 90 C and about 100-110 C respectively, with the 90 C cabin offering brine infusions using the Heringsdorfer Jodsole several times a day. Infrared heat cabins operate at about 50-60 C, and rest areas and an outdoor garden with loungers are provided.

Kurmittelhaus and treatments

The Kurmittelhaus offers physiotherapy and medical bathing services delivered by physiotherapists and bath masters. The site lists full and partial body massages, connective-tissue, foot-reflex-zone and Marnitz massages, manual lymphatic drainage, compression therapy, therapeutic pool exercises, hot-air therapy, fango and moor applications, medical baths (including brine, carbonated, moor and Stanger baths), Kneipp affusions, underwater pressure-jet massage, electrotherapy, ultrasound, inhalation and kinesiology taping. Many treatments require a physician's prescription or form part of ambulatory spa-cure programmes. According to the operator, the iodine brine is used for respiratory and lung diseases, skin conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, gynaecological conditions, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal ailments and childhood illnesses.

Opening hours

The Bath and Sauna World is open Monday to Saturday 10:00-21:00 and Sunday 10:00-20:00. The Kurmittelhaus (wellness house) opens Monday to Friday 08:00-19:00, and the fitness studio operates Monday to Friday 07:00-21:00 and Saturday 10:00-21:00.