Quadrate in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany — Central Europe
Paradeplatzbunker
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Parade Square Bunker
Photographed by James Hulse, February 20, 2024
1. Paradeplatzbunker / Parade Square Bunker Marker
Unter dem Eindruck der Zerstörungswirkung schwerer Luftangriffe zu Beginn des 2. Weltkriegs ordnet das NS-Regime im Herbst 1940 den Bau von Luftschutzbunkern in den gefährdeten deuschen Städten an. In Mannheim entstehen in rund zwei Jahren 52 Bunker, die rund 130 000 Menschen aufnehmen können. Während in den Außenbezirken Hochbunker mit bis zu 7 500 Plätzen errichtet werden, baut man in der Innenstadt - so auch hier unter dem Paradeplatz - Tiefbunker. Als Nachkriegsnutzung denkt man zunächst an Tiefgaragen. Tatsächlich dient der Tiefbunker unter dem Paradeplatz mit einer Aufnahmekapazität von 1 500 Personen in der Nachkriegszeit aber als Hotel. Die meisten anderen Bunker werden als Notwohnungen genutzt, einige auch als Internierungslager oder Studentenwohnheim, der Tiefbunker unter dem Alten Meßplatz als Einkaufspassage. Erst 1954 können die letzten Notwohnungen in den Bunkern geräumt werden. © Stadtarchiv Mannheim Institut Für Stadtgeschichte
Diese Tafel wurde gestiftet von: GBG Mannheim
Bildunterschriften
(Foto Nr. 1) Paradeplatzbunker im Bau, März
this page online
(Foto Nr. 2) Eingang zum Bunkerhotel Paradeplatz. Das 1947 eröffnete Hotel bietet Betten für 65 Gäste.
(Foto Nr. 3) Eingang zum Paradeplatzbunker nach der Zerstörung von 1943. Links das zerstörte Kaufhaus Schmoller, rechts die Ruine der Hauptpost, im Hintergrund die Konkordienkirche.
In autumn 1940, under the impression of the destructive effect of heavy air raids at the beginning of the Second World War, the Nazi regime ordered the construction of air raid shelters in the threatened German cities. In Mannheim, 52 bunkers were built in around two years, which could accommodate around 130,000 people. While high-rise bunkers with up to 7,500 spaces were built in the outskirts, underground bunkers were built in the city centre - as here under the Paradeplatz. The initial idea for post-war use was underground garages. In fact, the underground bunker under the Paradeplatz, with a capacity of 1,500 people, served as a hotel in the post-war period. Most of the other bunkers were used as emergency accommodation, some as internment camps or student accommodation, and the underground bunker under the Alter Messplatz was used as a shopping mall. It was not until 1954 that the last emergency accommodation
Photographed by James Hulse, February 20, 2024
2. The marker is the middle marker of the set of markers
This plaque was donated by: GBG Mannheim
Captions
(Photo #1) Paradeplatz bunker under construction, March 1941. The bunker was used provisionally in the summer of 1941 and officially handed over in April 1942.
(Photo #2) Entrance to the Paradeplatz bunker hotel. Opened in 1947, the hotel offers beds for 65 guests.
(Photo #3) Entrance to the Paradeplatz bunker after the destruction in 1943. On the left is the destroyed Schmoller department store, on the right is the ruin of the main post office, and in the background is the Concordia Church.
Erected by Stadtpunkte Mannheimer Geschichte Vor Ort and Stadt Mannheim.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location. 49° 29.249′ N, 8° 27.989′ E. Marker is in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg. It is in Quadrate. It is at the intersection of Planken and Kurpfalzstraße, on the right when traveling east on Planken. The marker is located in a group of 6 markers at the north side of the Paradeplatz. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: O1 1, Mannheim BW 68161, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Warenhäuser rund um den Paradeplatz / Department Stores around Paradeplatz (here, next to this marker); „Pfälzer Hof" D 1, 5-6 (here, next to this marker); Kaufhaus - Rathaus - Stadthaus N 1 / Department Store - Town Hall - City Hall N 1 (here, next to this marker); Postgeschichte im Quadrat O 2 / Postal History Square O 2 (here, next to this marker); Paradeplatz mit Grupello-Pyramide / Parade Square with Grupello Pyramid (here, next to this marker); Bierbraukunst und Wirtshäuser in P 2 / Beer Brewing and Taverns in P 2 (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Harmonie-gesellschaft / Harmony Society (about 120 meters away); Achenbach'sches Kaffeehaus D 2, 6 / Achenbach's Coffee House D 2, 6 (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mannheim.
More about this marker. There is a non-related marker separately attached on the other side of the post.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 276 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
