Beneath our feet lies a story of social housing innovation. This is Luzenberg. It’s a district in northern Mannheim with a unique past. Luzenberg sits right by an arm of the Old Rhine. It is part of the Waldhof district.
Back in the mid-1850s, a French glassworks called Saint Gobain set up shop here. They built a mirror factory from 1853 to 1855. Alongside the factory, they created housing for about 400 workers and their families. This became known as the Spiegelkolonie or Spiegelsiedlung. Skilled workers came from France. They lived here as guest workers. The 19 worker blocks were built compactly. Houses for managers and a director’s villa were also constructed.
Many other factories followed Saint Gobain to Luzenberg. These included the Drais-Fahrradwerke and Carl Benz & Cie. car factory. Together, they formed Mannheim’s largest industrial area.
Luzenberg has another claim to fame. The legendary Sepp Herberger was born in the Spiegelsiedlung in 1897. He later became the coach of the German national football team. He led them to victory in the 1954 World Cup. A plaque remembers Luzenberg’s most famous resident.
The original settlement was almost entirely torn down in the 1960s. The remaining buildings were decaying. Thankfully, funds were found to renovate them. This project finished in 2005.
In the southwest of Luzenberg was the gasworks. It operated from 1900 to 1968. Today, only the Gaswerksiedlung remains just outside Luzenberg. These red brick buildings were built after World War I. They housed workers who needed to react quickly to gas supply issues.
Luzenberg is also home to the Luzenbergschule. The second municipal water tower was built here in 1909. By 1914, it was rebuilt and incorporated into the school building. The water tower was used until 1976. It then became part of the school. For almost 100 years, students have learned in this unique place. Each floor had water fountains. The base of the water tower serves as a common room and cafeteria.
Industry still plays a big role in Luzenberg. Much of the area is occupied by the Mercedes-Benz plant. It includes an iron foundry, an engine plant for Daimler Trucks, and a bodywork plant for EvoBus. The Saint-Gobain glassworks, which was so important to Luzenberg’s history, operated until the end of 2020. The company announced it would close its Mannheim production. This was due to a lack of demand.
Luzenberg is more than just industry. It is also a residential area with green spaces. Historical buildings add to its charm. The Ärztevilla on Luzenbergstrasse is a beautiful example of Jugendstil architecture. It was designed in 1909 for two doctors. The Spiegelpark is another highlight. It has a monument and grotto. The Stadtteilverein “Wir am Luzenberg” brings people together. They organize events for all ages. The Kerwe festival is also very popular. It takes place at the Spiegelschlössel restaurant. This was once the canteen of the mirror factory.
So, as we stand here, remember the layers of history that make up Luzenberg. From its industrial roots to its community spirit. Luzenberg continues to evolve.