Engelsby

Could a single family name birth a whole district? In Engelsby, the answer is a resounding yes. Engelsby, meaning “Engel’s village,” whispers tales of a family whose presence shaped this eastern Flensburg district. Imagine, in 1445, the name Engelsby first appearing in records. Flensburg’s hospital received a farm in Engelsby as collateral. This seemingly small transaction marked the beginning of Engelsby’s journey into the annals of history. Engelsby wasn’t alone. Nearby lay the village of Windloch, first mentioned in 1697. Today, remnants of Windloch remain within Engelsby. You can spot them by their unusual positioning, not aligned with the streets, some still boasting old thatched roofs. By 1825, both villages were sparsely populated. Engelsby had 17 residents, and Windloch a mere 13. Then, in 1886, the Flensburg Kreisbahn arrived at the village inn. This new accessibility attracted wealthy Flensburg residents who began building villas near the station. These villas still stand along Engelsbyer Straße, a testament to the district’s transformation. Engelsby officially became part of Flensburg in 1910. Even during World War II, Engelsby escaped being a primary bombing target. Yet, on April 24, 1942, a returning bomber dropped a 2000-pound bomb, destroying three houses and damaging 66 others. Sadly, a schoolboy lost his life, and seven others were injured. The Kreisbahn closed in 1953. A year later, the Nordstraße to Kappeln opened on the former rail line, further separating old Engelsby from the newer developments. By 1961, Engelsby housed 1400 residents, a number that continued to swell with the construction of high-rises and apartment blocks in the Musikerviertel, named for the composers whose names grace its streets. The Sternenviertel, with streets named after planets, followed soon after. In 1973, the community center opened, providing a space for both worship and diverse events. Then, in 1988, the prominent Flensburg transmitter was erected in the Vogelsang nature reserve, another part of Engelsby. Today, Engelsby is a blend of architectural styles. The Musikerviertel showcases 1970s high-rises. The Sternenviertel offers primarily single-family homes, most built in the 1970s and 1980s. While some older shops along Engelsbyer Straße have closed, supermarkets, discount stores, and a few retail shops still serve the community. Vogelsang, designated a protected landscape in 1976, remains a vital recreational area. Engelsby, a district born from a family name, has grown and evolved over the centuries, leaving an indelible mark on Flensburg.