Siedlung am Gößweinsteinplatz

Have you ever wondered what life was like for workers during a tumultuous period in German history? You’re standing at the edge of Siedlung am Gößweinsteinplatz, a place that can offer a glimpse into that past. Siedlung am Gößweinsteinplatz, also known as the Ludwig-Siebert-Siedlung or Dornier-Siedlung, is a housing estate in the Munich district of Neuaubing. Now a protected historical site, it stands as a stark reminder of Nazi Germany’s ambitions. Built between 1938 and 1940, Siedlung am Gößweinsteinplatz was intended to house workers from the nearby Dornier aircraft factories, a key part of the Nazi rearmament program. Designed by architect Franz Ruf, only half of the planned 800 apartments were built before the outbreak of World War II halted construction. The village-like layout of Siedlung am Gößweinsteinplatz, with its central square and varied housing types, aimed to foster a sense of community among the workers. Ironically, the settlement was named after Ludwig Siebert, the Nazi Minister-President of Bavaria at the time. However, the residents, mostly Dornier employees, knew it simply as the “Dornier-Siedlung.” Today, Siedlung am Gößweinsteinplatz stands as a testament to a complex period, a tangible reminder of the intersection of architecture, ideology, and everyday life in Nazi Germany.