![\"Kulturzentrum](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_19-1024x683.jpg\")
Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt as the Figurehead of Socialism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In July 1950 the SED decided at its party conference to build the Eisenh\u00fcttenkombinat Ost (EKO). For this purpose, an adjoining residential town was to be built. An area to the west of F\u00fcrstenberg (Oder) was chosen as the location for this completely new city. The proximity of the Oder River on the one hand and the existing railway line on the other spoke in favour of this location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The newly founded town was supposed to be named after Karl Marx. However, Stalin's death on 05 March 1953 led to the name \"Stalinstadt\". With Stalinstadt, a model city was created, quasi a flagship for socialism. Everyone who could work and live here for a good salary was proud of it. From this reason thousands of young families move to the planned city. Because here one lived better than in many other places in the GDR. By the end of 1953 the young city already had 2,400 inhabitants, in 1960 it was ten times as many. Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt's highest population finally reached 53,000 in 1988.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stalinstadt was planned and built as a socialisitic planned city according to the \"16 principles of urban development\"<\/strong><\/a> . These principles were the guiding principles for urban development in the GDR for about five years from 1950 onwards. They were shaped by the ideals of the \"socialist city\". The planning was also based on models of the socialist neoclassicism of the Stalin era and Prussian-German architecture. Stalinstadt was initially designed for 25,000 inhabitants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Berliners will discover similarities with Karl-Marx-Allee (formerly Stalinallee) during a walk through the socialist planned city of Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt. The development of this street was built at the same time as Stalinstadt. In the course of the de-stalinisation, however, both names were no longer desired. For this reason they were renamed in 1961: Stalinallee became Karl-Marx-Allee and Stalinstadt became Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Almost 70 years have passed since the decision to build Stalinstadt. The city grew for about 40 years and also offered many people prospects for the future. But with the reunification about 30 years ago life changed here. As everywhere in the former GDR, jobs were cut, unemployment and emigration followed. Meanwhile, the population dropped by half to about 24,000 today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many apartments were now empty. The city reacted with an urban redevelopment programme. Balconies and elevators were added, apartments were folded and renovated. The entire residential complex VII - the one with the lowest rents - was demolished. However, only individual buildings were removed from the remaining residential complexes. As a result, the centre was largely preserved as such. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, the \"residential town of the iron and steel works\", with residential complexes I, II and III, is Germany's largest landmark under protection. In addition, further individual buildings are listed as historical monuments. However, residential complex IV has lost its monument status because too many residential blocks have been removed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some elements of the socialist planned city Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt that you can still see today are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n The urban development lies south of the steelworks and is fan-shaped. The buildings are divided into so-called residential complexes. The core residential complexes I to IV were built between 1959 and 1964. They were brick buildings, not prefabricated buildings. The first buildings from 1951 were simple and unadorned, the apartments were also small and intended only for the workers. About 25,000 inhabitants were to find their home in Stalinstadt at that time. You will find the first houses in Rosa-Luxemburg-Stra\u00dfe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the years 1952\/53 the flats were planned larger, so that the families found place in them. The buildings became architecturally more attractive. For example, parts of the building were set off or highlighted and the entrances were upgraded with small staircases and canopies. The Wohnkomplex II, south of the Strasse der Republik, is already much more beautifully built than the first one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the living space was not sufficient, residential complex V and VI were added until 1965. They were built as large blocks and had hot water and heating. The residential complex VII alone is built in the prefabricated construction method typical for the GDR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each residential complex was self-sufficient. This means that there was a kindergarten, a school and also a shop. These were also provided with numbers: So there was also school number II and department store number II in residential complex II. In 1956 the first self-service department store opened in residential complex VII. At the moment it is empty but there are already plans for a future use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What was striking for me as a Berlin city dweller was the peace and quiet that surrounds you within the residential complexes. Well, the streets were not so busy now. But surely this silence can also be attributed to urban planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opposite the town hall opens the central square. Its name suggests that something bigger was planned here once. But resources in the GDR were scarce. Therefore, the planned monumental buildings around the square could not be realized as planned. So it came that at that time only the present town hall was completed. The town hall of Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt (see title photo) was formerly called \"House of the Party and Mass Organization\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lindenallee (formerly Leninallee) was at that time the Magistrale and stretches slightly arched from Zentrales Platz to the steelworks. Today, however, it appears somewhat oversized. At that time, however, like the Central Square, it was intended for marches and parades. To the left and right of the Magistralen, striking buildings line up: for example, the former Magnet department store and the City Hotel Lunik, the former IFA car pavilion, the Friedrich-Wolf-Theater and numerous shops. Some of the old advertising lettering has survived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the old department store Magnet (Lindenallee \/ Ecke Stra\u00dfe der Republik) you can see the mural \"German-Polish-Soviet Friendship\" (1964) by Walter Womaka. In the lower part of the glass stone mosaic, the iron processing is depicted. The hand is surrounded by a blast furnace. From the worker's hand the peace dove flies towards the sun and the flags of the GDR, Poland and the Soviet Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A block of flats in the Wohnkomplex I also bears a beautiful Meissner porcelain mural from 1954, depicting the symbols typical of the GDR: the dove of peace, a sun and a happy family. You will find the mural at the intersection Rosa-Luxemburgstra\u00dfe \/ Alte Ladenstra\u00dfe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Juri Gagarin high school in the Ludmilla-Hypius-Weg has been empty for about five years. Its fa\u00e7ade is decorated with a large mural. It tells the story of the development of socialism from hunters with bows and arrows to space travel. Behind the school there are also two gymnasiums and a teaching swimming pool. Opposite the school are the buildings of the former department store and a restaurant. The design of the floor with slabs of different colours and structures is striking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Soviet memorial commemorates 4,109 prisoners of war buried here at the Place of Remembrance, in residential complex I.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The large Aktivist restaurant was built in 1953 in the style of socialist classicism. After the fall of communism, the building was restored for around five million euros and is now a listed building. Today, however, the restaurant is somewhat smaller and can accommodate around 100 people. However, the name \"activist\" has remained. The remaining area was converted into offices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> End your day in the restaurant Aktivist. The menu offers variety for the big and the small hunger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first blast furnace of the Eisenh\u00fcttenkombinat Ost (EKO) went into operation in September 1951. Five more blast furnaces were added in the following four years. At that time, the plant provided work for up to 16,000 people. Today, however, only one blast furnace is still in operation and there are only 3,000 jobs left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nevertheless, the steel mill still dominates the economy in Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt today. This is now called ArcelorMittal Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt GmbH. It emerged from the VEB Eisenh\u00fcttenkombinat Ost or the EKO Stahl GmbH. ArcelorMittal is the world's largest steel group with 60 plants in more than two dozen countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The steel mill is located in the immediate vicinity of the city centre. You can even see individual plants from Lindenallee. If you have more time, it's also worth taking a walk to the plant. However, you can only see it from the outside. Factory tours <\/strong><\/a>are currently only offered for open days or for educational purposes. The open day is usually at the end of August during the city festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> Add to your city tour in Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt with a visit to the Documentation Centre for Everyday Culture of the GDR in Wohnkomplex II. Here you can immerse yourself in the everyday world of bygone times and also learn more about the history of the socialist planned city of Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n East Places: On the Disappearance and Rediscovery of the GDR*<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt. Architecture guide* (in German)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt, Neuzelle and surroundings Photographs by Bernd Geller* (in German)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Have you ever been on a discovery tour in Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt yourself? How did you like it? Do you have any questions about my article or suggestions? If so, please write me a comment! <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you want to know when there are new articles on my blog? Then follow me on Facebook<\/a>, Pinterest <\/a>or Instagram<\/a>. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends.<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Bilder und Eindr\u00fccke aus Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt – eine fotografische Zeitreise in eine sozialistische Planstadt mit und Vorzeigestadt der DDR<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5581,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":"1"},"categories":[1927,112,4223],"tags":[5511,5510,5509],"class_list":{"0":"post-3493","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-deutschland","8":"category-europa","9":"category-stadtentdeckungen","10":"tag-architektur","11":"tag-berlin-brandenburg","12":"tag-history"},"yoast_head":"\n![\"Wohnblocks](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_26-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"sozialistische](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_22-1024x683.jpg\")
\n\n\n\nStalinstadt - a planned City according to socialist Principles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Stadtwappen](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_03-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"Wandbild](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_27-1024x683.jpg\")
\n\n\n\nThe turning Point - a City is shrinking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_06-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"Springbrunnen](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_16-1024x683.jpg\")
\n\n\n\nImpressions from the socialist planned City Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nThe Residential Complexes I to VII<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Wohnblocks](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_14-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"Wohnblocks](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_23-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"ehemalige](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_25-1024x683.jpg\")
\n\n\n\nCentral Square <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMagistral of Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"City](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_02-1024x686.jpg\")
![\"Friedrich-Wolf-Theater](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_10-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_04-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"Kleine](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_12-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"Fotogesch\u00e4ft](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_08-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"M\u00f6belgesch\u00e4ft](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_09-1024x683.jpg\")
\n\n\n\nMosaics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Wandbild](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_07-768x1024.jpg\")
![\"Wandbild](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_13-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"Die](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_20-1024x683.jpg\")
\n\n\n\nSoviet Memorial<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Sowjetisches](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_15-1024x701.jpg\")
\n\n\n\nThe Restaurant Activist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Gro\u00dfgastst\u00e4tte](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_28-1024x683.jpg\")
\n\n\n\nThe Steel Mill of Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Eisenh\u00fcttenstadt](\"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/eisenhuettenstadt_18-1024x683.jpg\")
\n\n\n\nBook Recommendations for Lovers of socialist Architecture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51vKOzykGgL._SX373_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/319veIp1C9L._SX268_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41RQKgctAAL._SX404_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg\")
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