“A small former ice pond gave the area its name.” This is how Waldsee got its name. It is a charming district in Freiburg. Around 5400 people live here today. We stand at this local recreational area. It is between the districts of Wiehre, Oberau, Littenweiler and Ebnet.
Let’s dive into the history of Waldsee. The area transformed after World War I. Before that, agriculture dominated. The city gradually developed the area into a garden city. Littenweiler was an independent village until 1914.
Before the development, only a few buildings stood here. The Carthusian monastery was on the north side of the valley. The Zum Schiff inn built in 1777 was on the road to the Black Forest. Around 1900, the Waldsee recreational area was created on the south side. It had a pub for visitors.
The Freiburg Football Club stadium was built nearby. A railway stop made the facilities accessible. This stop was on the Höllentalbahn line. From 1905, a tram line ended here. It had the first reversing loop. In 1925, they extended the tram line towards Littenweiler. This improved access to the Waldsee district.
Between the world wars, numerous streets were laid out. Development occurred from the Schiff inn to the Holy Trinity Church. Low building density and large gardens predominated. In the 1930s, various sports facilities were built. They were along the river Dreisam.
The university built a red-brick sports hall in 1925. Architect Hermann Alker designed it based on the Bauhaus style. The Strandbad leisure pool was built in 1934. At the time, it was one of southern Germany’s most modern open-air swimming pools. The Catholic Church initially protested. This was because there was a lack of separation between the men’s and women’s baths.
In 1939, the area of Freiburg-Ost was divided. It became the four districts of Oberwiehre, Oberau, Waldsee, and Littenweiler. Littenweiler had already been a separate district.
Housing construction continued in the 1950s. In the 1960s, it adjoined the Littenweiler district. In the 1990s, Waldsee gained notoriety. There were numerous protests against the new B 31 federal highway. The road aimed to relieve residential areas of long-distance traffic. It achieved this goal. However, it created new difficulties for other residents. It reduced the recreational value of the district. The four-lane road brings additional long-distance traffic into the city.
Today, Waldsee offers much. There is a restaurant with a sun terrace. You can rent boats here. In the evenings, there are concerts and parties. The Strandbad Freiburg is in Waldsee. The Schwarzwald stadium is also here. It is always busy during SC Freiburg games. The sports area from the university’s sports institute to the Strandbad is a key feature.
The Kartaus is the most striking historical building in the district. It is a former Carthusian monastery founded in 1347. It was abolished in 1783. Only the baroque Prelate’s building remains. The pastor and writer Heinrich Hansjakob once lived here.
Below the monastery, a hydroelectric power plant was built in 1908. It is called “Freiburger Stromschlössle” because of its distinctive design. Next to it is an old farmhouse. It has a typical Black Forest hipped roof. It was formerly the monastery’s farm building. These buildings form a charming ensemble at the foot of the Johannisberg.
Waldsee is more than just a district. It’s a place where history and recreation meet. From its humble beginnings as an ice pond to its modern-day attractions. Waldsee offers a unique blend of culture and leisure.