Innenstadt (Osnabrück district)
The Innenstadt (city centre) is the central district of the city of Osnabrück in Lower Saxony; its population is roughly 8,300.
The Innenstadt consists of the medieval Altstadt (old town) and the medieval Neustadt (new town), which were both united as one city in 1306. The Altstadt developed around the three medieval town churches, which initially constituted small boroughs in the local area: the Lutheran Kirche St. Marien (Church of St. Mary), the Lutheran Kirche St. Katharinen (Church of St. Catherine) and the Dom St. Peter (St. Peter's Cathedral) which was the seat of the bishop. The Neustadt developed around the Kirche St. Johann (Church of St. John).
Today the Gymnasialkirche and the Herz-Jesu-Kirche (Church of the Sacred Heart) are also part of the Innenstadt, as well as two mosques. The Schloss Osnabrück, formerly the residence of the prince-bishop and today the head office of the University of Osnabrück, is also located here. This district is the economic heart of the city. The retail sector, with many outlets positioned along the extensive pedestrian precinct, is of particular significance. Service industries are also present in the Innenstadt such as gastronomic and hotel outlets, public authorities and educational institutions.
94% of Osnabrück's Altstadt area was destroyed during World War II.
The Innenstadt is connected to the rail network by the Osnabrück Hauptbahnhof (main) and Altstadt (formerly Osnabrück-Hasetor) stations. Another station used to operate at the Wittekindplatz: Osnabrück-West, also known as Osnabrück-Hannoverscher Bahnhof. The establishment of an Osnabrück-Johannistor train station to connect the Neustadt area has been a topic of discussion since as early as 1895.
The Innenstadt was also connected by three tram lines (first opened in 1906 and gradually expanded over time): tram line 1 from the Hauptbahnhof to the Heger Friedhof (Heger Cemetery) via Hauptpost and Nikolaiort, tram line 2 from Schölerberg to Haste via Johannistor (Rosenplatz), Neumarkt, Nikolaiort and Hasetor, and tram line 3 from Martiniplatz/Heinrich-Lübke-Platz to Schinkel via Neumarkt and Hauptpost.
In modern urban planning the possibility of better connecting the Innenstadt area by means of an inner-city tram or light rail network is still being considered.
Sources
- M+E (Eds.), Osnabrück (Osnabruck, 1976)
- Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung, 2007–2010
- Spühr and Jeanmaire, Die Osnabrücker Straßenbahn (1980)
Coordinates: 52°16′00″N 8°03′00″E / 52.2667°N 8.0500°E