Imagining life in Mannheim without the Rheinauen is difficult. This area is more than just a geographical location. It is a vibrant part of the city’s identity. Let me introduce you to the Rheinauen.
The Rheinau district is located in the south of Mannheim. It is made up of four parts. These are Casterfeld, Pfingstberg, Rheinau-Mitte, and Rheinau-Süd. Until 2020, Rheinau was just one district.
Around 1750, the road to Schwetzingen was built. It ran from Mannheim Palace through what is now Rheinau. It led to the Schwetzingen Palace, where the Prince-Elector spent his summers.
In 1817, Karl Freiherr von Drais tested his two-wheeled running machine here. He traveled from Mannheim’s city center to a relay house. This invention eventually led to the bicycle.
Industrialization began in 1860 with the construction of a brick factory. In 1870, the Rheintalbahn railway was built. The Chemische Fabrik Rheinau settled there and gave Rheinau its name. Houses were built around it for the workers.
In 1896, the Hafenbaugesellschaft Rheinau GmbH began expanding the old Rhine arm. This became the first harbor basin. A tower-like gauge house was built there. It still exists today. Ships on the Rhine could read the water level in the harbor. The Rheinau harbor now has four harbor basins.
The settlement grew quickly with the construction of the Rheinau harbor around 1900. Rheinau was part of Seckenheim until 1913. Then it was incorporated into Mannheim. Pfingstberg was originally built as a railway settlement from 1920. Rheinau-Süd was founded as an IG Farben settlement in the 1930s. In 1944, it was incorporated into Mannheim.
The RWE AG operates a large transformer station in Mannheim-Rheinau. It has been there since the mid-1920s. The research association FGH is also located in Rheinau. It focuses on developing high-voltage technology components.
Line 1 of the RNV tram system runs through the district. It goes to Mannheim-Rheinau station. The Rheinau harbor is located south of the railway line. It is part of the Mannheim harbor.
Mannheim-Rheinau has over 60 clubs. The “Gemeinnützige Verein Mannheim-Rheinau” is their umbrella organization. The “Heimatverein Rheinau/Pfingstberg von 1982 e.V.” researches and archives the history of Rheinau and Pfingstberg.
The Rheinau lake offers swimming, fishing, diving, and water skiing. Families can find many educational opportunities in Rheinau. There are 15 daycare centers and seven schools.
Between 1768 and 1771, the “Kießler-Hof” house was built in Rheinau. It was later used as a restaurant. Around 1870, it was named “Altes Relaishaus”. It was partially destroyed by arson in 2015.
Pfingstberg is known for its churches. St. Theresia vom Kinde Jesu church is one of the most beautiful churches in Germany. The Pfingstbergkirche is another notable church. It was rebuilt between 1962 and 1963. It is made entirely of glass and concrete.
The Flügelrad-Brunnen fountain is located on the market square. It was designed by Maritta Kaltenborn. It symbolizes the area’s history as a railway settlement.
Houses in the railway settlement were built in the 1920s. The railway workers did not know who would get which house. After completion, the houses were raffled off. This was to prevent different construction qualities.
The 5360 m long railway tunnel runs north of Pfingstberg. It is called the Pfingstberg Tunnel.
The Rheinau is a testament to Mannheim’s past and present. It combines industry, community, and nature.