Ever heard of “Susi”? That’s what the locals affectionately call the Sulzer Siedlung. This isn’t just another neighborhood. It’s a place born from crisis and built on community spirit.
The Sulzer Siedlung sits in northern Erfurt. It is nestled near the Rote Berg. During the global economic crisis of 1929, Erfurt faced widespread unemployment. The city initiated a self-help program. This aimed to empower jobless industrial workers. The plan was simple. Give them land to build homes and grow food.
In March 1932, the first sod was turned. Around 150 future residents began construction. They handled everything themselves. Luckily, they were near gravel deposits. They mined gravel and transported it to the building sites. They even laid their own tracks. Roads, wells, a school, and a community center sprung up. The community center also housed a kindergarten, a nurse’s station, and a police station.
Initially, the area was called “Starasie”. This meant “city outskirts settlement”. But residents preferred “Sulzer Siedlung”. It was named after the old village of Sulza. That village had disappeared long ago. Only the field name and Sulzer See remained.
After 1990, some changes occurred. The kindergarten and school closed. But the community spirit lived on. In 1992, the Interessengemeinschaft Sulzer Siedlung was founded. They revived the traditional summer festival.
In the mid-1990s, the Sulzer Siedlung got modern upgrades. It was connected to the city’s gas network. New streetlights were installed. Power and telephone lines were buried underground. Sewer connections were added. In 2000, a new Buergerhaus opened. It became a central point for local administration. That same year, the Sulzer Siedlung expanded. It added 115 single-family homes. It officially became Erfurt’s 28th district.
Today, the Sulzer Siedlung is a green oasis. It is a compact settlement with single and double houses. Many homes have gardens. It’s a popular residential area. About 1,000 people live here.
The Sulzer Siedlung offers both tranquility and recreation. The Rote Berg and Erfurter Seen are nearby. The Sulzer See is a flooded quarry. It’s now a popular destination. The Sulzer Siedlung remains an idyllic place. It shows what people can achieve together. It’s a testament to self-reliance and community.