Have you ever wondered what lies behind the grand facade of a building? The Gewerkschaftshaus in Stralsund seems like a timeless piece of the cityscape, standing proudly on the Alter Markt. It’s a grand building with a history spanning over a century. This is much more than a place for unions; it’s a silent witness to the ups and downs of Stralsund. It was once a theater, a place for entertainment and enjoyment.
In the early 1900s, the city was experiencing rapid growth. The old theater was no longer big enough for the growing population. So, the city started looking for a new building to house a new theater. But the city’s dream was thwarted when, in 1927, the Provinzialbank Pommern purchased the existing theater. This bank decided to demolish the theater and build a new, grand building in its place. The architects and builders gave the project a very modern look, and that’s why the building looks so different from the rest of the medieval structures.
The new building was opened on September 23, 1930. It housed not only the Provinzialbank but also other entities, including the Gestapo. The bank relocated here from the Minervahaus, a building across the street which is still standing. Today, this building is a meeting place for various unions, including ver.di, IG Metall, and DGB. It stands as a symbol of the city’s dynamic and changing industrial landscape.
The Gewerkschaftshaus, once a theater, then a bank, and now a union building, is an example of what many buildings in Stralsund have had to endure. Many of the buildings in the city center are centuries old and have served a wide variety of purposes over their long history. So, as you walk through the streets of Stralsund, take a moment to admire the buildings that have witnessed countless transformations. They are a testament to the city’s rich and varied history. Let’s continue on our tour. It’s time to visit the next stop.