Imagine Neckarau’s story whispered on the wind. This district in Mannheim has witnessed centuries of change. Today, we’ll delve into its past. We will explore how Neckarau became the place it is today.
Neckarau sits southwest of Mannheim. It lies directly on the Rhine. The Neckar River once shaped its destiny. Today, Neckarau includes the Almenhof and Niederfeld districts. Lindenhof, Neuhermsheim, and Rheinau are its neighbors. Across the Rhine, Ludwigshafen and Altrip reside.
Interestingly, Neckarau owes its name to the Neckar River. During the Carolingian era, the Neckar flowed into the Rhine here. Neckarau was situated on an island in the river’s delta. This location meant frequent flooding. In the late 13th century, the Neckar shifted. Its main branch moved north of Mannheim’s city center.
In 368, a Roman fort named Alta Ripa stood in what is now Neckarau. The first documented mention of Neckarau was in 871 as “Naucrauia”. Emperor Frederick II gifted Neckarau to the Bishop of Worms in 1212. After disputes, it came under the control of the Electoral Palatinate in 1284.
Around 1278, the Neckar changed course. It began flowing into the Rhine north of the city. Consequently, the village of Hermsheim was abandoned. Its residents moved to Neckarau. The area was southwest of today’s Mannheim interchange. Place names like “Bei der (Hermsheimer) Kirche” hint at its location.
Neckarau’s location on the Rhine made it a sought-after trading hub in the 15th century. It grew into one of the region’s largest and wealthiest villages. In 1496, Neckarau fell under the jurisdiction of the Electoral Palatinate’s Upper District of Heidelberg. By 1577, there were 101 households. During the Palatinate Succession War in 1689, Neckarau faced destruction. The town had 1,253 residents by 1817. Industrial enterprises settled here in the late 19th century. The nearby Mannheim-Karlsruhe railway line attracted them. Neckarau, then Baden’s largest village, was incorporated into Mannheim in 1899. Housing development in Almenhof began after World War I. Niederfeld’s development followed World War II.
The Grosskraftwerk Mannheim is located in Neckarau. Historically significant companies include Kabel und Draht. Joseph Vögele AG, Seilwolff, and Rheinische Gummi- und Celluloid-Fabrik were also important. Baktat International, a food trade group, has its headquarters in Mannheim-Neckarau. From 2011 to 2015, Juan Amador ran his three-Michelin-starred restaurant “Amador” here. It was located on the former Schildkröt factory site.
Two prominent churches shape Neckarau’s skyline. These are the Catholic St. James Church and the Protestant St. Matthew’s Church. They support Neckarau through services and events. They offer spaces for reflection and celebration.
Neckarau is changing. Since the late 1980s, the old industrial site has been transforming. A new industrial park has emerged. The Old Pumpwerk is a notable building. Built in 1903, it closed in 1986. This neo-Gothic brick building has a complete interior. The Mannheim artist Dietmar Brixy restored it from 2001. It is now Brixy’s studio, showroom, and home.
Neckarau offers several recreational areas. The August-Bebel-Park is in the town center. The Waldpark features nature reserves. The Mannheim lido is south of the Reißinsel in the Waldpark.
Neckarau’s story shows resilience. From floods to wars, it has reinvented itself. It stands as a testament to community and progress.