Did you know that the Guntzwiesen in Dresden carry a name with a story? These green spaces are named after Justus Friedrich Güntz. He established the Güntz Foundation in 1856. The foundation helped shape these meadows.
The Guntzwiesen are more than just a park. They are located southeast of Dresden’s Old Market. They lie near the city’s historic heart. The Guntzwiesen mark a transition. They bridge the gap between the city center and the Große Garten’s green expanses.
For centuries, the area now known as the Guntzwiesen was undeveloped land. In 1826, King Friedrich August I issued a building ban around the Große Garten. This protected the landscape. It prevented urban sprawl to the southeast.
In the 19th century, the Guntzwiesen became a sports venue. In 1874, Englishmen living nearby formed the Dresden English Football Club. They regularly played football on the meadows. In 1883, the first public gymnastics event was held here. The city acquired more land to create a cohesive sports area. By 1896, a sports field was mentioned on the site of today’s stadium.
The Guntzwiesen played host to significant events. In 1911, the German football championship final took place here. Berliner TuFC Viktoria 1889 won against VfB Leipzig. Also in 1911, the German national football team lost to Austria.
In the 1920s, Hermann Ilgen and Georg Arnhold funded the expansion of the sports facilities. In 1923, the Ilgen-Kampfbahn opened. It could accommodate 24000 spectators. Three years later, the Georg-Arnhold-Bad opened. It was named Guntzwiesenbad from 1934 to 1948. After the Ilgen-Kampfbahn was destroyed in World War II, the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion was built by 1951.
During the Nazi era, plans were made to transform the area into a Gauforum for Saxony. The Guntzwiesen would have been at its center. These plans were never implemented.
Even after the division of Germany, the area around Lingnerallee remained undeveloped. In 1988, Joe Cocker performed a large concert on the Blüherwiese. About 85000 people attended. Since then, the Blüherwiese has been called Cockerwiese. The city dedicated a plaque to Joe Cocker in 2015. In 2016, the meadow officially became Cockerwiese.
In 1999, the first German Theater Fair took place on the Cockerwiese. From 2004 to 2008, the Sea Life Centre was located here. Today, the Cockerwiese still hosts events.
The Guntzwiesen stand as a testament to Dresden’s history. They have evolved from meadows into a vibrant space. They combine sports, culture, and recreation.