What if these walls could talk? What stories would the Villa Davignon in Leipzig whisper?
The Villa Davignon stands before us. It is a testament to Leipzig’s rich history. This villa has many names. It is also known as Rossbach-Villa or now “Haus ohne Barrieren”. It sits gracefully in the Bachviertel. The Villa Davignon is located right next to the city harbor.
Let’s step back in time to 1864. Anton Schauer had a residential house built on this very spot. August Louis Davignon, a wealthy Leipzig merchant, bought the property in 1880. He wanted something grander.
Davignon commissioned architect Arwed Rossbach. Rossbach planned a stunning Neorenaissance villa. The original two-story house was torn down. The Villa Davignon was built in its place in 1880 and 1881.
Notice the fine stucco details. These details are in Neorenaissance style. Look up at the roof. See the dolphins flanking the dormer windows? They add a whimsical touch. The Elstermühlgraben flows nearby. This caused a high ground water level. The Villa Davignon has only a “Sockelgeschoss” instead of a cellar. The street side facade was altered in 1881.
From 1926 to about 1936, the Agronomia Lipsiensis used the building. The Villa Davignon miraculously survived the bombing raids of World War II unscathed. However, it fell into disrepair during the GDR era.
Since 2003, the Stadtverband der Hörgeschädigten Leipzig e. V. owns the building. They are the City Association of the Hearing Impaired Leipzig. This association renovated the Villa Davignon by 2005. They preserved its historical character.
Today, the Villa Davignon is a meeting center. It is called “Haus ohne Barrieren” which means House without Barriers. It is home to the Hörgeschädigten-Stadtverband. The Sozialverband Deutschland e. V. also has offices here. The Mobile Behindertendienst Leipzig e. V. runs the caféBARlokal “Davignon”.
The Villa Davignon is more than bricks and mortar. It is a symbol of resilience. It is a place of community. It embodies Leipzig’s spirit of inclusivity. It is a reminder that beauty can be found in every corner of this city. It champions accessibility for all. The Villa Davignon stands as a house for everyone.