Natatorium

A natatorium (plural: natatoriums or natatoria, also called swimming hall) is a building containing a swimming pool.^[1]

Etymology[]

The word natatorium was borrowed from Late Latin, transitioning around the 1880s. The word was originally constructed from the Latin for "to swim" (natā(re)) and "place" (tōrium).^[2]

In Latin, a cella natatoria was a swimming pool in its own building, although it is sometimes also used to refer to any indoor pool even if not housed in a dedicated building (e.g., a pool in a school or a fitness club).^[3]

A natatorium will usually also house locker rooms, and perhaps allied activities, such as a diving well or facilities for water polo. Many colleges, universities, and high schools have natatoriums.^{[citation needed]}

Gallery[]

Natatorium (with signage) at the University of California, San Diego
West Baden Springs Hotel Natatorium, West Baden Springs, Indiana
Natatorium Pool, Waco, Texas (postcard, circa 1907–1924)
The Graham S. Little Natatorium, otherwise known as Olney Indoor Swim Center, in Olney, Maryland.
Flushing Meadows Natatorium, Queens, New York
Müllersches Volksbad, Munich, Bavaria, Germany