Imagine stepping back in time to 786 AD. Knielingen Nord wasn’t a tram stop then. It was just part of Knielingen, first mentioned as Cnutlinga in the Lorsch codex.
Knielingen Nord is now a modern part of Karlsruhe. But its roots run deep. Knielingen is the oldest district of Karlsruhe. It is also the second largest. Only Durlach is bigger.
The Rhine has always shaped Knielingen’s story. Johann Gottfried Tulla straightened the Rhine from 1817. This changed the landscape. Some areas ended up on the other side of the river.
In 1935, Knielingen officially became part of Karlsruhe. After World War II, Knielingen grew as an industrial center. Siemens built one of its largest German locations here in 1950. Refineries began operating on the Rhine in 1962.
American soldiers were stationed here after the war. They left after German reunification. Their former barracks became a new development area. This area is called “Knielingen 2.0”. It provides housing for up to 2,000 people. Tram line 2, which serves Knielingen Nord, opened here in November 2020.
Knielingen has nature reserves too. Since 1980, part of the lake has been the Altrhein Maxau nature reserve. The Burgau is another nature reserve in Knielingen.
The horse breeding and racing club operates a track in Knielingen. It is located in the Burgau nature reserve. Here, trotting and galloping races take place.
The coat of arms shows a black “Drudenfuß” or pentagram. The colors black and gold were chosen in 1895. The local council adopted them.
Karlsruhe’s only Rhine bridges are in Knielingen. They connect the city to Rhineland-Palatinate by road and rail. The Südtangente bypass road runs through Knielingen. It ends at the Rhine bridge. Knielingen Nord connects to the city via tram line 2. Also, the S5 light rail line and bus lines 74 and 75 serve this area.
From ancient origins to modern transport hub, Knielingen Nord shows how time and progress can transform a place, while still keeping its unique heritage. The echoes of the past resonate even as the tram pulls into the station.