Picture this a sprawling landscape of five and six-story apartment buildings. This is Schönwalde II a significant district of Greifswald. Built largely in the 1970s it was designed to house the workers and employees of major industries. Think of the Nachrichtenelektronik and the Lubmin nuclear power plant. Schönwalde II was their home.
Schönwalde II’s story is one of transformation. Initially a vast expanse of prefabricated housing it has undergone significant changes. Many of the original blocks have been demolished or lovingly renovated. Green spaces now enhance the district’s appearance. The area’s population has fluctuated dramatically. In the mid-1990s over 13000 people called Schönwalde II home. Today that number is closer to 8800. That’s still a considerable portion of Greifswald’s population around 14 percent. One in seven Greifswald residents lives here. The district boasts approximately 5100 apartments most owned by the city’s large housing companies WVG and WGG. Several student dormitories also dot the landscape.
But Schönwalde II’s history extends beyond its communist-era architecture. Before the apartment blocks a Luftwaffe hospital existed between 1938 and 1941. From 1955 to 1990 it served as a military medical section at the University of Greifswald. A fascinating contrast to its post-war development. The street names themselves Makarenkostraße and Maxim-Gorki-Straße for instance reflect the era’s close ties with the Soviet Union. These names whisper a story of geopolitical alliances and ideological shifts.
The Makarenkostraße houses the Kiste a multifunctional building. It’s home to the student club Kiste e.V and the Islamic Cultural Center Greifswald e.V. This juxtaposition of historical influences and modern activities makes Schönwalde II unique. The Schönwalde Center stands where a planned community center was once envisioned. This center now incorporates a multi-purpose hall. Another fascinating fact is the Christuskirche. Completed in 1984 as part of a church building program it stands as a testament to faith within the district’s landscape. The transformation of the Helene Kreft nursery into the Schwalbe community center is another striking example of adaptation and renewal. Today this center houses an open children’s and youth center a hall and a community meeting place.
Schönwalde II is more than just concrete and bricks. It’s a living testament to Greifswald’s history its industrial past and its evolving present. A walk through its streets offers a rich tapestry of stories waiting to be discovered. So take your time explore the streets and immerse yourself in the life of Schönwalde II.