“The Princess Pool” by Lucia Jost

Words and Images by Lucia Jost

This summer, as in so many summers past, I found myself at Sommerbad Kreuzberg – lovingly referred to as The Prinzenbad.

Here, I captured the essence of young women who, like myself, opt to bask in the sun at this storied Berlin outdoor pool. The Prinzenbad represents much more than a mere swimming location to me; it embodies cherished memories: echoes of my childhood, and a version of Berlin that thrived long before the arrival of Matcha Lattes, Harry Styles, and soaring rents.

No other environment stirs such a profound sense of summer and nostalgia within me as lounging under the sun with a circle of women in a public pool. Flowing conversations of gossip, laughter, and discussions about careers, babies, and partners fill the air. Swimming alongside friends brings me a feeling of liberation. It transports me back to those endless six-week breaks from school – to timeless friendships, greasy fingers from indulging in poolside fries, chlorine stinging the eyes, and the familiar scent of sunscreen.