Siedlung Blanke Helle

Did a goddess truly dwell in the Blanke Helle? We stand before Siedlung Blanke Helle, a residential complex with a story as captivating as its name. Built between 1930 and 1931 by Hans Jessen for DeGeWo (Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Förderung des Wohnungsbaus), Siedlung Blanke Helle takes its name from the water-filled basin of the Alboinplatz. The settlement curves gracefully around the park-like Alboinplatz, creating a picturesque backdrop. The buildings along Burgemeisterstraße, Wittekindstraße, and Kaiserin-Augusta-Straße feature a continuous saddle roof. They house three to four stories, adjusting to the gentle slope of the land. Loggias and stairwells punctuate the otherwise unadorned plaster facades. On Wittekindstraße, Jessen designed a horizontally striped facade beneath a high attic story. Red brick areas between the white-painted lattice windows contrast with the continuous plaster strips. This design extends to the recessed loggias with their protruding parapets. A monumental, three-part gateway leads to a semi-public private street. This street extends Friedrich-Wilhelm-Straße, cutting through the Siedlung Blanke Helle to Alboinplatz. Delicate trees line the private street, complemented by landscaped green spaces, forming a charming residential courtyard. The entrances to the side residential buildings are nestled above sloping lawns. Triangular bay windows flank both sides of the courtyard gateways. Siedlung Blanke Helle comprises 446 apartments, primarily small units with one or two rooms, a kitchen, and a bathroom. The nearby “Auerochse” (aurochs) sculpture by Paul Mersmann adds another layer to the story. This massive stone bull overlooks the Blanke Helle, seemingly guarding its secrets. Local legend connects the Blanke Helle to Hel, the Norse goddess of the underworld. The aurochs, built between 1934 and 1936 by unemployed artists, perhaps echoes this mythical connection. The sculpture itself holds another secret. It is believed to contain a hidden message against Hitler, signed by various artists and sculptors. So, as you admire Siedlung Blanke Helle, remember its connection to myth, history, and even hidden rebellion.