Once a fire station, now a cultural beacon. This is the Alte Feuerwache in Mannheim. It stands as a testament to the city’s vibrant spirit. It is a place where history and culture intertwine.
The Alte Feuerwache started as Mannheim’s central fire station in 1912. Richard Perrey designed it. He included Jugendstil influences and a 42-meter-high tower. The tower was for drying hoses and watching for fires. Imagine the hustle and bustle as fire fighters lived and worked here. They were ready to respond to any emergency.
By the 1970s, the main fire station moved to a new location. There were plans to tear down the Alte Feuerwache. A fourth high-rise was planned for the Neckar riverbank. But the people of Mannheim had other ideas.
Musicians and activists united to save the building. They formed the Musikwerkstatt Alte Hauptfeuerwache e. V. They organized concerts and events. These events showed the community’s love for the Alte Feuerwache. The concerts took place every Saturday. Entrance was free. Bands got two-thirds of the drink profits. The rest covered costs. The Alte Feuerwache quickly became a cultural magnet for the Rhine-Neckar region. The building’s upper floor had many small rooms. These rooms became rehearsal spaces for musicians. The Alte Feuerwache became a melting pot for all music genres. The Mannheim Pop Academy has roots in this creative period.
Public pressure grew. The city council put the Alte Feuerwache under historical protection. The vehicle hall was torn down. It was replaced with a residential tower. The main building was gutted and rebuilt. The cost was 21 million marks.
The Alte Feuerwache became a model for other cultural initiatives in Mannheim. The nearby Capitol cinema was saved from demolition. Matthias Graupner and Regine Portele founded the city magazine Meier during this time.
The Kulturzentrum Alte Hauptfeuerwache opened on May 9, 1981. Since then, it has been a cultural center. The Musikwerkstatt dissolved. The city took over management.
In the early 1990s, the center faced challenges. Activities lost their appeal. Most volunteer initiatives ended. But in the 2000s, the center was revitalized. Today, the Alte Feuerwache is a renowned socio-cultural center. It hosts jazz, rock, and pop music events.
The Alte Feuerwache became independent in 2005. It is now a non-profit GmbH. It receives city funding. The building houses various cultural institutions. These include band rehearsal rooms, the Schnawwl children’s theater, and the Bermuda.funk radio station. The BBK also has workshops here.
In 2013, the Alte Feuerwache won the German Venue Award. It was honored for its live music program.
The Druckwerkstätten offer various techniques. These include screen printing, relief printing, lithography, and etching. They are among Germany’s largest art printing workshops. In 2018, the artistic printing techniques were added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.
Today, the Alte Feuerwache is more than just a building. It is a symbol of Mannheim’s cultural identity. It is a place where creativity thrives and community comes together. The Alte Feuerwache is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Mannheim. Its history and vibrant program make it a unique and unforgettable experience.