Wonder what stories lie beneath your feet here at Gudrun-Pausewang-Platz? This square, now a children’s playground, has a past far more complex than its present use suggests. Let me tell you about Gudrun-Pausewang-Platz.
Originally, this space was called Continentalplatz. That was back in 1911. The square was created as a public space in front of the Continental AG industrial complex. Continental AG was once known as the Continental-Caoutchouk- und Gutta-Percha-Compagnie. Gudrun-Pausewang-Platz sits at the intersection of Grenzweg, Philipsbornstraße, and Ritterstraße.
But there is a dark chapter in the history of Gudrun-Pausewang-Platz. During World War II, a deep bunker was built beneath Continentalplatz. This was between 1940 and 1941. It was part of the “Führer-Sofortprogramm”. This program aimed to build air-raid shelters. The construction was carried out by forced laborers. These laborers were prisoners of war.
Imagine the scene during the air raids on Hanover. The bunker under Continentalplatz was designed to hold 501 people. But during a firestorm on the night of October 8, 1943, tragedy struck. A large crowd gathered outside. They were desperate to get inside. The bunker warden refused to open the doors again. He had already closed them. After the fires receded, rescue workers emerged from the bunker. They had to step past charred bodies of those who sought safety.
After the war, during the Cold War era, the bunker was one of 35 civil defense facilities. These facilities were meant to protect Hanover’s population. The bunker under Continentalplatz was designed for a maximum stay of three hours.
Today, the Gudrun-Pausewang-Platz is a place for children to play. The square was renamed on May 27, 2021. It now honors Gudrun Pausewang. She was a famous children’s book author. The Continental corporation moved its headquarters to Hans-Böckler-Allee. The local council renamed Continentalplatz to Gudrun-Pausewang-Platz. Irma Walkling-Stehmann and Thomas Bechinie unveiled the new street sign.
So, as you watch children playing on Gudrun-Pausewang-Platz, remember its layered past. This place has gone from industrial square to air raid shelter. It is now a memorial to a beloved author. Gudrun-Pausewang-Platz is a place where the echoes of history meet the laughter of children.