A planned city built in the 1920s. That’s Nettelnburg. This charming Hamburg suburb boasts a unique history. It wasn’t always the tranquil residential area we see today.
Nettelnburg’s story begins much earlier though. Legend links it to the Schauenburg family during the Crusades. Their coat of arms a nettle leaf might explain the name Nettelnburg. Documented history begins in 1208. Wernherus von Netelenburg witnessed a property transfer. This confirms an early rural fiefdom. In 1307 the Schauenburgers sold their estate to Reinebeck monastery. No castle remains however.
Two tenant farms appeared by 1609. Ownership changed hands many times. A grand Gründerzeit-style mansion rose from the ashes of an 1894 fire. Philipp Holzmann a construction entrepreneur bought it in 1899. Sadly this historical landmark was demolished in 2011. Despite local protests.
After World War I housing shortages sparked plans for a settlement community. The land around Nettelnburg Manor was chosen. The Industrial Land Company Nettelnburg owned it after the previous owners’ insolvency. The Nonprofit Settlement Cooperative Nettelnburg bought the area in 1921. A considerable mortgage was involved.
Between 1921 and 1930 architect Fritz Winterfeldt oversaw the planned city’s construction. The marshy soil proved challenging. Drainage ditches were dug first. Plots larger than 1000 square meters were created. Construction began in spring 1922.
Brick houses with mansard roofs and hipped gables characterized Old-Nettelnburg. High groundwater levels meant utility rooms were on the ground floor. Most houses had stables for livestock. Large vegetable gardens bordered by drainage ditches completed each property. By August 1927 235 houses were occupied. Shops a fire station a school a pub and a community center with sports fields were built. A church however was missing.
Most settlers were SPD-affiliated workers or craftsmen. Nettelnburg was nicknamed the “Red Settlement.” The SPD still received 65% of votes in the 1933 election. The KPD received 13.2% while the NSDAP only 16.37%. Gleichschaltung began in April 1933. The community chairman was ousted and the local newspaper was renamed. The fire department also faced changes. The school principal was dismissed. A Hitler Youth center opened in 1938. That same year Nettelnburg was transferred from Billwerder to Bergedorf. Nettelnburg escaped heavy bombing during World War II.
Post-war reconstruction saw further single and two-family house construction. The first apartment building with shops opened in 1954. More houses some terraced were built from 1970 onwards. These integrated with planned waterways and green spaces. Old-Nettelnburg stands as an important architectural monument today. Its uniform appearance reflects its fascinating past. A garden city indeed. Nettelnburg’s S-Bahn station opened in 1970 connecting it to the rest of Hamburg. This enhances Nettelnburg’s appeal even more.