The German Gymnasium - c.1869
The German Gymnasium - c.1886
The German Gymnasium - c.1866
The German Gymnasium - c.1892
The German Gymnasium - c. 1860s
The German Gymnasium - An historic building
Die Turnhalle, as the German Gymnasium was originally known, was designed by Edward Gruning and built at a cost of around £6000 in 1864-1865 for use by the German Gymnastics Society. It was funded solely by donations from the German community in London. It is believed to have been the first purpose-built gymnasium in the United Kingdom.
The main exercise hall was a grand and elegant space with a floor to ceiling height of 57ft. The vast laminated timber roof trusses, with their original cast iron hooks from which budding Olympians swung from ropes as a form of exercise, are still in place today.
Long forgotten sports were practised here, including Indian club swinging and broadsword practice.
The German Gymnastics Society adopted a forward thinking approach to women’s exercise, with classes taking place here from as early as 1866.
Due to the work of one of its early presidents, Ernst Ravenstein, the building also claims a pivotal role in the birth of the modern Olympics, and in 1866 the German Gymnasium hosted the indoor events of the first National Olympic Games.
The timber mezzanine floor was installed in 1908, and this space is now available for hire as a unique and flexible event space.
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