Pure relaxation at the Börde Therme in Bad Sassendorf

When everyday life becomes stressful, your schedule overflows, and your shoulders noticeably tense up, body and soul yearn for a place of absolute regeneration. I found exactly this retreat in the heart of Westphalia: at the Börde Therme Bad Sassendorf.

Located right next to the spacious, lovingly maintained spa park, this thermal bath combines the ancient, natural healing power of brine with a modern, diverse sauna landscape.

From salt pan to spa paradise: A journey through time

The relaxing effect we enjoy today in the warm pools of the Börde Therme has a long tradition. The history of the bath is inextricably linked to the “white gold” of the region. As early as the 12th century, it is documented that in Sassendorf (then still without the title “Bad” [spa]), salty spring water was extracted from the earth to boil precious salt in a labor-intensive process. Salt production once brought the small town a wealth of money and prestige in the region.

The transformation from a bustling industrial site to a place of healing began in the early 19th century. The beginnings of the spa operations were wonderfully pragmatic: simple wooden bathtubs served as the initial basis for the treatments sought out by those plagued by gout and rheumatism.

However, the foundation for modern thermal bath culture was laid much later: the region’s first spa treatment center was built in 1963 and already featured its own thermal brine exercise pool. Finally, 1976 marked the birth year of the actual bathing area of today’s thermal baths. With an indoor pool, a first outdoor pool, and a small sauna building, the foundation for a true wellness experience was laid. Over the years, the baths and sauna area have been continuously adapted to the wishes and requirements of the users. In August 2020, the Börde Therme was inaugurated as it can be experienced today.

Hot & healing: My voyage of discovery through the sauna landscape

Through a separate entrance, I reach the spacious, textile-free sauna area. There is the opportunity to use various saunas. Some are still located in the main building, while others are in the outdoor area of the facility.

After a short tour, my personal favorites are quickly decided:

Boiling Hut (Siedehütte) (90 °C): The absolute centerpiece for true sauna fans. Five minutes before every hourly infusion (Aufguss), the historic bell “Alfons” calls the guests together. In the spacious wooden cabin, which offers space for 60 to 70 people, the sauna masters celebrate their creative and varied experience infusions.

Panorama Sauna (70 °C): Anyone who wants to let their gaze wander into the distance while sweating is exactly right here. At a pleasant 70 °C and with ample space for up to 70 people, wonderful scent journeys and soothing singing bowl meditations are offered here at scheduled times.

Salt Mine Gallery Sauna (Salz-Stollen-Sauna) (80 – 85 °C): This expansive sauna is modeled after a real salt mine gallery. The walls consist of natural Kelo wood and back-lit salt stones. The heat releases valuable substances from the salt through ionization, creating a particularly healing room climate—perfect for taking a deep breath.

Graduation Tower Sauna (Gradierwerksauna) (80 °C): A true unique gem in Germany! The walls are made of solid oak and authentically decorated. A special highlight is the color-coordinated light animation, which conjures up a fascinating day-and-night scenario on the walls every 15 minutes. An intensive and visually impressive experience for about 15 to 20 people.

After a sauna session, a bit of rest and relaxation is naturally in order. In good weather, you can use the loungers in the outdoor area for this. My personal insider tip, however, is the relaxation room in the graduation tower. I could have dozed for hours in the gently swaying suspension loungers.

Dive in and let go: The magical effect of natural brine

The centerpiece of the facility is its own natural brine, extracted from the depths of the earth. Brine is a true miracle cure of nature. It relieves the joints, promotes blood circulation, and strengthens the skin’s acid mantle. The temperature of the brine pools is exactly adjusted so that the body neither freezes nor overheats, but immediately transitions into an ideal state of rest.

There are several brine pools in the Börde Therme. The spacious indoor pool is equipped with bubble loungers and massage jets. As in almost all other pools, the water temperature is 33 degrees Celsius and the salt content is 3%. In addition, there are further swimming pools in the outdoor area. Due to the water temperature, swimming here is wonderfully possible even in cold outside temperatures.

I was quickly drawn to one of the outdoor brine pools. The water splashed from the jets into the pool, and I comfortably swam a few strokes across it. That, to me, is pure relaxation!

Feeling weightlessness: My highlight in the floating pool

An absolute unique selling point is the floating pool in the sauna garden. Here, the brine content is a whopping 12 to 15%, and the water temperature is a cozy 33 °C. Cautiously, I step down the few stairs into the pool. The water tingles slightly on the skin—a sign of the high mineral concentration.

As I lift my feet off the floor, the magic happens: I begin to float. Due to the enormous buoyancy of the brine, the body behaves similarly to being in the Dead Sea. I drift almost weightlessly on the water’s surface. The pressure completely leaves my spine, my ears dip slightly underwater, and the world around me becomes wonderfully quiet. What an indescribable feeling!

Fully catered for: Health, spa, and culinary delights

In addition to the sauna and brine, the Börde Therme offers a holistic health concept that perfectly rounds off your day of vacation:

Sea Salt Grotto (Meersalzgrotte): A room whose walls and floor are covered with sea salt. At pleasant temperatures and soft lighting, you inhale the salty air—a short trip to the seaside for your respiratory tract.

Wellness & Spa Treatments: The massage portfolio ranges from classic back massages and lymphatic drainage to special hot air treatments and soothing “mud kneading” (Moorkneten), which has a particularly alleviating effect on joint complaints.

Active Pool (indoor): The water temperature here is about 31 degrees Celsius, ideal for water aerobics and light sports activities.

Gastronomy: The “Café Sole” provides you with light, healthy snacks and refreshing drinks during your stay.

Visitor Information

Address

Gartenstraße 26,
59505 Bad Sassendorf

The visit to Möhnesee took place as part of a blogger trip supported by Wirtschafts- und Tourismus GmbH Möhnesee, Tagungs- und Kongresszentrum Bad Sassendorf GmbH, and Wirtschaft und Marketing Soest GmbH. Many thanks also to Tanja for organizing the trip.