The Baños del Niágara, inaugurated in 1879, were the first heated swimming pool in Spain. Its history lies hidden beneath the Hotel Príncipe Pío on the Cuesta de San Vicente.
The Cuesta de San Vicente, an iconic place in Madrid, hides a fascinating history dating back to the late 19th century. In this location, where the Hotel Príncipe Pío now stands, lie the remains of the Baños del Niágara, the country's first indoor and heated swimming pool. Inaugurated in 1879, these baths not only revolutionised the city's hygiene and recreational customs but also marked the beginning of summer leisure and competitive swimming in Madrid.
The origin of El Niágara dates back to a context where sanitary infrastructures were scarce. The city mainly relied on its underground streams for clean water supply. One of these streams, the arroyo de Leganitos, provided fresh water that was used in public laundries like the Lavadero de Rivadeneira. It was here that entrepreneur Vito Montaner saw an opportunity: to transform this unsanitary space into a centre dedicated to well-being.
On July 6, 1879, the Baños del Niágara opened its doors as an urban sanatorium. With facilities that included medical consultations and hydrotherapy treatments, it soon became evident that its greatest attraction was an outdoor pond that allowed Madrileños to enjoy recreational bathing for the first time. This shift towards a social activity was key to its success.
As the 20th century progressed, El Niágara evolved to meet new social demands. In the 1910s, under the management of Santiago Domínguez, it transformed into a recreational park with an open-air cinema and leisure activities. The opening of the Cine de Verano El Niágara attracted crowds during summer nights.
However, it was in the early 1930s that El Niágara reached its sporting peak. In November 1931, with the merger of the Canoe Club and the Club Natación Atlético, the Canoe Natación Club, now Real Canoe, was born. This club needed adequate facilities for year-round training and found a perfect solution in El Niágara.
Under the financial direction of sports patron Cástor Ulloa Fariña, significant renovations were made between 1932 and 1933: the original pool was shortened to 25 metres to comply with international regulations, and a metal structure was built to completely cover the facility. Thus, the first indoor and heated swimming pool in Madrid was officially born.
Despite its positive impact for years, El Niágara could not withstand the urban changes following the Spanish Civil War nor the growing post-war demands. By the mid-1950s, it was permanently closed due to its small size compared to new sporting requirements.
Although completely demolished to make way for the Hotel Príncipe Pío, some remnants still endure: a classic sign survives on its façade as a direct reminder of the old cinema that occupied that space before. Additionally, part of its original masonry is now part of the hotel.
Today, historians and archaeologists continue to investigate this hidden legacy beneath one of the most well-known hotels near the Royal Palace. For those interested in discovering more about this fascinating history or visiting the area where this iconic Madrid swimming pool once stood, it is advisable to head to the Cuesta de San Vicente and explore its surroundings.
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