Siedlung am Fichteplatz

Could a neighborhood be shaped like a trapezoid? Here at the Siedlung am Fichteplatz, it absolutely is. This isn’t just any neighborhood. It’s the largest cohesive settlement in Mainz, boasting around 1,000 apartments, most between 85 and 100 square meters. Siedlung am Fichteplatz is more than just a collection of homes. It stands as a testament to architectural ingenuity and social vision, a significant landmark in Rhineland-Palatinate. The streets An der Philippsschanze, Pariser Straße, and Fichteplatz frame this unique neighborhood. The western edge runs along Obere Zahlbacher Straße. Interestingly, Pariser Straße is part of the modern-day Bundesstraße 40. This area wasn’t always a residential haven. Before the Siedlung am Fichteplatz graced this land, the area held remnants of Mainz’s rich past. A Roman foundation, possibly connected to the Dativius-Victor Arch, was discovered here in 1897. Later, the Mainz Velodrome thrilled spectators with its steep curves, traces of which can still be seen around the current water playground. The Siedlung am Fichteplatz emerged between 1925 and 1928 as a joint project between the German Reichsbahn and the city of Mainz. It was intended as social housing for their employees. This vision was brought to life by city architect Fritz Luft and various Mainz architects, including Rudolf Schreiner. Some designs even incorporated pre-World War I plans by Friedrich Pützer. The trapezoidal, almost triangular layout of the Siedlung am Fichteplatz, with Fichteplatz at its apex, creates four open blocks. These blocks are further divided into smaller house groups and green spaces. This distinctive geometry reflects the converging streets of Pariser Straße and Obere Zahlbacher Straße. The architecture itself is a blend of styles. The hipped roofs with beaver tails, bay windows, balconies, and decorative stonework showcase elements of Heimatstil, Expressionism, and New Objectivity. These homes exemplify the era’s focus on light, air, and modern amenities. Even the naming of the streets and square reflects the post-World War I political climate. The choice of Johann Gottlieb Fichte for the square, and Nikolaus Becker and Max Schneckenburger for the streets, reflects the tensions with the French occupation. After World War II, the Siedlung am Fichteplatz continued to evolve. The Gautor, a historic city gate, stood in the Römerwall green area at Fichteplatz from 1962 to 1998. The Gutenberg-Gymnasium and the Mainz Turnverein von 1817, Germany’s second-oldest sports club, are located just south of the settlement. To the northwest, the settlement borders the University Hospital, which expanded in the 1960s. The Siedlung am Fichteplatz remains a vibrant community, a blend of old and new. It stands as a tangible reminder of Mainz’s history, its architecture a captivating narrative etched in brick and stone.