Neptune Public Bath, Timisoara

The Neptune Public Bath, also known as Neptune Palace, is one of the notable landmarks of the Fabric district in Timisoara. Built between 1912 and 1914 to the designs of chief architect Laszlo Szekely, the building originally housed an elegant spa complex. Its purpose was both practical and modern for the early 20th century, replacing the former Turkish baths of the district and offering public facilities at a time when many households still lacked private bathrooms. Visitors once enjoyed a swimming pool, laundry services, and a restaurant, making it a vibrant social centre for locals.

Over the decades, the Neptune Palace evolved with the city’s history. During the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it was known as the “Hungary Baths” or Szekely House, after its architect. Following 1919, it became officially known as Neptune Palace, with periods when it was also referred to as the Central or People’s Baths. Ownership changed hands several times: the Nobel family in the 1930s, and later, under the communist regime, the building was nationalized. The baths continued to function until around 2000, after which the swimming pool was covered, and new facilities such as a fitness centre and luxury restaurant took over.

Architecturally, the Neptune Palace stands out for its Viennese Secession style. Its curved pediment, floral decorations, and Doric semi-columns give it a refined character, though Szekely opted for a more restrained decorative approach compared to some of his other works. The building’s distinctive roofline, with large volumes, trapezoidal shapes, and a rounded dome, reflects the influence of Viennese master Otto Wagner. A monogram with Szekely’s initials, “LS,” still crowns the façade, a reminder of its creator.

Today, the Neptune Palace continues to mix functions much as it did a century ago, though in a different form. Alongside its offices and apartments-known collectively as Bloc Neptun-the building houses a luxury restaurant that attracts both locals and visitors.