Have you ever wondered about the origins of a neighborhood’s name? The Schweizer Viertel in Dresden is a place steeped in history. Its very name whispers tales of two possible explanations. One suggests a restaurant named ‘Schweizerei’ once stood on Schweizer Strasse. The other points to the unique architectural style of the villas. Their overhanging roofs and spacious verandas or balconies might have inspired the name. One last remnant of these houses still stands on Lindenaustraße 2a.
Imagine this area behind the railway line to Bohemia in 1848. The decision to build here marked the start of the Schweizer Viertel. A building police was established to guide the development. The vision was an affluent garden city with lush greenery. The first phase of construction focused on the area between the roads to Plauen and Dippoldiswalde. These roads are now known as Chemnitzer Strasse and Bergstrasse respectively. The railway line and the Zellesche Strasse which is today called Altenzeller Strasse formed the boundaries.
Construction began slowly. Only 13 houses were built by 1856. Building activity picked up in the following years. Gradually all plots were built upon. At its peak the Schweizer Viertel extended south to Eisenstuckstraße. The Winckelmannstraße marked its eastern border. The railway line and Chemnitzer Strasse never crossed the quarter.
The neighborhood’s concept of an upscale garden city succeeded. Elegant villas nestled in impressive gardens. Most houses were two stories high even though building regulations allowed for three. Their interiors were lavish. Basements housed service areas. These included kitchens pantries and utility rooms. The housekeepers lived in the basement. Maid’s quarters were usually in the attic.
Sadly the bombing raids of February 1945 caused extensive damage. The ruins of the destroyed villas were cleared in the 1950s. Modern apartment and commercial buildings replaced them. Unscathed houses fell into disrepair during the GDR era. After 1990 ownership issues were resolved. Many houses were faithfully restored.
The Schweizer Viertel’s residents initially belonged exclusively to the upper class. Doctors lawyers scientists and architects lived here. Victor Klemperer was a notable resident from 1928 to 1934. He lived on Hohe Strasse 8. This changed after 1945. Modern apartment buildings were constructed on sites of destroyed buildings. This led to a more diverse mix of residents.
Industrial and commercial businesses were initially banned. Households relied on domestic staff for shopping. They were sent to the city center and later to the American Quarter. Alternatively they received deliveries. Strict regulations relaxed over time. Doctors’ offices and some girls’ boarding houses appeared. Retail businesses or craft shops were never permitted. Large businesses like the Lingner-Werke settled around Chemnitzer Strasse.
The Schweizer Viertel was the first residential area in the previously undeveloped Südvorstadt. It was surrounded by greenery. Residents enjoyed tennis courts near the Zelleschen Weg. They visited local establishments like the Schweizerhäuschen the Bergkeller or the Feldschlösschen for leisure. The Schweizerhäuschen gave its name to the quarter itself.