Once, the area where the Neustadt in Flensburg now stands was just fields. In fact, the name Neustadt literally means New City. The Neustadt’s story began in 1796. The Danish king approved building on the Ramshardener Feld outside the Nordertor.
Before 1796, building homes here was forbidden. Only structures needed for work were allowed. Millers lived by their windmills. Some poorhouses stood near the Nordertor. Everything changed in 1796. Houses could finally be built.
The Neustadt grew quickly due to its location. The main road passed through it. This road was the route to the north. Today, this street is still called Neustadt. It runs from the Nordertor to where the road splits into Bau’er Landstrasse and Apenrader Strasse.
South of the split, homes and shops appeared. Older buildings were renovated into impressive houses and offices. Neustadt 15 is a fine example. North of there, factories benefited from being near the harbor. Brickworks were among them. Further north, more houses were built. Factories were often located behind these houses.
The Neustadt became an industrial center. This happened as Flensburg industrialized in the 1830s. Christiansens Brennereien and Hefefabrik became well-known. Dittmann and Jensen’s iron foundry later became the Nordische Ofenfabrik. The Walzenmühle also became a major industrial site.
After Schleswig joined Germany in 1864 and 1871, Flensburg grew even faster. In 1872, the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft shipyard opened. The main street Neustadt became a shopping hub. It served the growing northern part of the city. Horse-drawn trams began running in 1881. Electric streetcars followed in 1907. Workers’ housing sprang up on side streets.
The St. Petri-Kirche was built in 1908 and 1909. It served both the Neustadt and Nordstadt. During World War II, the Neustadt suffered damage from air raids.
Until the 1960s, the Neustadt stayed much the same. Then, some factories closed. Since the 1990s, businesses have declined. Now, supermarkets occupy former industrial sites. The Neustadt faces social challenges today. There are plans to add new buildings among the old ones. This is hoped to improve the area. Improving the Neustadt’s connection to Flensburg Harbor is also being considered.
The Nordertor stands at the edge of the Neustadt. It is a symbol of Flensburg. The Obelisk commemorates those who died in the Battle of Bau. It once stood at the end of Neustadt street, aligned with the Nordertor. The Alte Werft shipyard is on Werftstrasse. It was the original site of the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft. The Walzenmühle is a former industrial mill. Its tall silo stands out. Some consider it a Neustadt landmark.
The Neustadt is a neighborhood with a rich history. It evolved from open fields to a bustling industrial center. Today, it is undergoing renewal. Its landmarks and history make it a unique part of Flensburg. The Neustadt continues to evolve. It embraces its past while looking to the future.