Remember the echoes of a war that shaped a nation when you look at Friedenseichenplatz Plaque. This plaque stands as a silent witness to a pivotal moment in German history. It reminds us of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. This conflict led to the founding of the German Empire.
The war left a deep mark on people’s minds. Planting peace oaks became a popular trend. People erected monuments or at least memorial stones. Altona was no exception to this wave of remembrance.
The street called “Bei der Friedenseiche” branches off from Max-Brauer-Allee. Its name comes from a peace oak. The oak was planted to commemorate the victory in the aforementioned war. The tree stood in a nearby park-like green space. Like the one in Eppendorf, this Friedenseiche did not survive. While disease killed the Eppendorf tree, the Altona oak was destroyed in World War II.
Next to the oak, people erected the 1870s monument. It is a large boulder. The years 1870/71 are carved into it. A simple laurel branch accompanies the dates on the rough stone. For a long time, the stone stood forgotten. Greenery and bushes covered it at the park’s northern end.
But things changed in 2012. The park underwent a redesign. The rampant greenery was cut back drastically. A playground was created. As part of the renovations, the monument was moved. It now stands at the park’s southern tip. The stone is now clearly visible. It is no longer a “forgotten monument” hidden under bushes. A new “Friedenseiche” was also planted in the park. So, the Friedenseichenplatz Plaque gained new significance.
Not far from the current location of the boulder stood the Behn Fountain. It was moved to Behnstrasse near Konigstrasse in the 1960s.
The Friedensallee in Altona got its name similarly. A peace oak was planted there too. It stood at what is now Alma-Wartenberg-Platz. The square was previously called Friedenseichenplatz. It was renamed in 1997.
Consider also the traffic calming measures around Friedenseichenplatz. In the 1960s, the area between Bahrenfelder Strasse and Friedensallee was dominated by cars. Traffic congested around a “traffic island”. City planning prioritized the “car-friendly city”. But in Ottensen, with its narrow streets, smooth traffic flow was an illusion.
Citizen protests arose. The “City West” plans aimed to demolish Ottensen’s core. Office buildings would replace it. But Ottensen’s residents resisted. The completion of the Elbtunnel increased traffic. A protest movement formed against traffic planning “from above”.
Neighborhood initiatives demanded “traffic calming”. They wanted a ban on heavy goods traffic. Residents installed “Tempo 30” signs. They rolled out crosswalks. They even played volleyball tournaments on the streets. Bicycle convoys forced cars to slow down.
In 1982, two children had traffic accidents. One child died. The initiatives’ motto became a reality. “Creep instead of corpses.” Demonstrations and road closures followed.
The protest succeeded. Ottensen became the first district with a “Tempo 30” speed limit everywhere. The people of Ottensen prevailed. They stood against the dominance of car traffic. The highway feeders were reduced to one lane. The city abandoned plans to demolish houses.
Today, Friedenseichenplatz Plaque serves as a reminder. It commemorates not just a war but also the community’s spirit. It symbolizes the fight for a livable urban space. It stands for peace and remembrance.