Once upon a time, a sweet scent wafted through Regensburg. That sugary aroma came from the Ostenviertel. Today, let’s explore this district east of the city center. The Ostenviertel is Stadtbezirk 10. It lies south of the Danube.
The Ostenviertel’s story stretches back centuries. It includes the old eastern bastion of the medieval city wall. The district expanded, particularly in the 19th century. It grew to include areas like Hohes Kreuz, Irlmauth, Irl, and Kreuzhof. Until 1978, Irl and Kreuzhof belonged to Barbing. The oldest building in Kreuzhof is the Romanesque Kreuzhof Chapel.
Imagine the Ostenviertel bustling with industry. It holds large commercial areas. Continental AG has a plant here. Siemens also has a factory. A Südzucker AG factory once operated here. Plus, the Regensburg port thrives here with its West, Oil, and East docks. After 2000, large furniture stores opened near Irl to keep purchasing power local.
At the west end of the port stands the IT Speicher. This technology center houses IT companies. About 50 companies have settled here. And it keeps growing. Amidst the industry, you will find residential areas. These range from large to small.
Let’s talk about the sweet smell. For over a century, starting in 1899, a sugar factory sent its scent across Regensburg. The factory closed in 2007. Now, a new residential area stands on that site.
The Luitpold Harbor’s construction began in 1906. The harbor was mostly destroyed in World War II. After reconstruction, it saw record turnover. Regensburg’s port still has Bavaria’s highest ship cargo turnover. Even Celts and Romans used the river here for trade.
In 1888, the Old Slaughterhouse was built in the Ostenviertel. It operated until the 1990s. It expanded over time. It served as a major livestock market. It was vital for Eastern Bavaria’s economy.
Today, the Ostenviertel is known for change. The former slaughterhouse is now a modern conference center. About 11,002 people live in this district. Each person has about 35 square meters of living space. Living here is more affordable than in other parts of the city. The Ostenviertel blends industry, living, and history. It always adapts.