Ever wondered where Chemnitz’s workers once lived? That’s Altendorf. Today, let’s step back in time and explore Altendorf. This district has transformed from a farming village to a bustling workers’ settlement. Altendorf lies northwest of Chemnitz’s heart. It officially became part of Chemnitz on July 1, 1900.
Imagine Altendorf before 1900. It was a place of farmers. But as Chemnitz grew, Altendorf changed. Workers seeking homes flocked here. They needed to be close to Chemnitz’s factories. This shift led to Altendorf’s incorporation into Chemnitz.
Did you know Altendorf is considered older than Chemnitz itself? The name suggests an older settlement. Wolf hunters even settled here. They chose the area between Waldenburger and Limbacher Straße.
Altendorf’s story is one of significant change. Once part of Amt Rochlitz, it later fell under Amt Chemnitz. Even as late as the 16th century, only one linen weaver worked here. Altendorf remained largely agricultural until the 19th century.
The Limbacher Straße served as Altendorf’s lifeline. It connected workers to factories. A tram line once ran along this street. It linked Altendorf to factories like the Hartmann Works. Near the Waldenburger Straße was a tram depot. The Altendorf freight station supported industries.
After joining Chemnitz, Altendorf gained important facilities. Sports venues like the Altendorf cycle track and the Westkampfbahn emerged. In 1909, the cycle track was built. It was designed by Zapp and Basarke. It hosted major cycling and motorsport events. Up to 30,000 people attended these events. The track closed in 1940 due to World War II. Bombing heavily damaged the track. It was later used as a football field. A new cycle track was built near the Großkampfbahn after the war.
Altendorf also became a healthcare hub. The Flemmingstraße became home to the Blindenanstalt. This institution for the blind was founded in 1905. Later it became a rehabilitation center. The Küchwald Hospital was built near the Crimmitschauer Forest in 1915. The Frauenklinik or Women’s Clinic followed in 1918. In 1926/27, the Säuglingsklinik or Infant Clinic opened. A new Klinikum building was constructed between the Frauenklinik and Küchwald Hospital in 1982. It has been modernized since 2005.
Between 1963 and 1966, the Flemming area was developed. This was Chemnitz’s first new housing area. It provided 3,700 apartments for about 25,000 residents.
Let’s talk about the Crimmitschauer Forest. This forest lies between Borna and Altendorf. It’s named after Abbot Ulrich of Crimmitschau. The Benedictine monastery used the forest for hunting. After the monastery’s dissolution, only 21 hectares belonged to Chemnitz. The rest came with Altendorf’s incorporation in 1900. Today, the entire forest belongs to Borna.
Before you leave Altendorf, think about the Marmorpalast. This grand hall on Limbacher Straße was famous. It was advertised as Chemnitz’s largest and most beautiful venue. It boasted a large concert and ball hall. The Marmorpalast also had a beautiful garden.
Altendorf is more than just a district. It’s a story of farmers, workers, and a city’s growth. It is a place where sports, healthcare, and community came together.