Think of Trachau as Dresden’s intriguing puzzle piece. It sits nestled in the northwest. We are in Trachau.
Trachau’s story stretches back centuries. It is a tale of transformation. From a humble village to a vibrant urban district, Trachau has seen it all.
In 1242, Trachau appeared in records as “Trachennowe.” This translates to “place near the Dragon Mountains”. Look towards Trachenberge. See the link between the names. Despite its German-sounding name, Trachau started as a Sorbian settlement. It nestled by an old arm of the Elbe River.
Centuries ago, Trachau was a farming village. Locals grew crops and grapes on the hillsides. The Altendresden Augustine monks had a presence here in the 15th century. They were near the Old Trachenberg.
In 1787, things changed. The Meißen postal road shifted to Trachau from the Elbe. This brought craftsmen to the area. Gottfried Ockert, a butcher, opened the Zum Lammchen inn. This inn became a local hub. The Trachau council met there from 1839.
Trachau faced tough times. Fires ravaged the village in 1766, 1795, and 1816. Floods from the Elbe River also struck in 1655, 1784, and 1845.
The Leipzig-Dresden railway arrived in 1838. It split Trachau’s land. The southern part had the village and gardens. The northern part had fields. Despite this division, Trachau grew. Main streets filled with apartment buildings. Farming continued until the late 20th century. Industrialization and city growth eventually ended it.
The Zum Lammchen inn transformed in 1881. It became the Goldenes Lamm. A dance hall was added in 1895. It later became a gym for the Trachau Gymnastics Club. In 1925, it became a cinema. From 1962 to 1997, the Dresden Puppet Theater called it home. The building stood empty for years. A small restaurant remained on the ground floor. In 2006, the Free Evangelical Church Dresden bought the building. The ballroom now hosts services and events.
Trachau officially became part of Dresden in 1903. Before that, in 1908, Trachau separated from the Kaditz parish.
The oldest building in Trachau dates back to 1642. Find it at Henricistraße 4. Buildings from the late 19th century have been restored. The Schützenhof and the Trachau Waterworks are notable.
Between Industriestraße and Schützenhofstraße lies the Trachau housing estate. Built from 1928 to 1933, it showcases New Objectivity architecture.
Many notable people have lived in Trachau. These include painter Otto Fischer-Trachau and architect Peter Kulka. Comedian Uwe Steimle also spent his childhood here.
Today, Trachau is well-connected. The Trachau S-Bahn station is on the Leipzig-Dresden line. The number 4 tram runs along the Leipziger Straße. The number 3 tram travels along Großenhainer Straße.
Trachau is more than just a place on a map. It is a living story. It is a blend of past and present. It is a place where history whispers around every corner.