Innenstadt (Braunschweig)

The Innenstadt ("inner city") is the central Stadtbezirk (city district) of Braunschweig, Germany. The district consists of five formerly independent city municipal areas (Altewiek, Altstadt, Hagen, Neustadt, and Sack), and is surrounded by the river Oker and in area mostly identical with the medieval city of Braunschweig.

Innenstadt
Stadtbezirk of Braunschweig
Burgplatz
Coat of arms
Boroughs of Braunschweig
Innenstadt Show map of Germany Innenstadt Show map of Lower Saxony
Coordinates: 52°15′51″N 10°31′18″E
Country	Germany
State	Lower Saxony
District	urban district
City	Braunschweig
Government
• Mayor	Ines Werner (SPD)
Area
• Total	02.374 km^2 (0.917 sq mi)
Population  (2010-12-31)
• Total	13,350
• Density	5,600/km^2 (15,000/sq mi)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	38100
Dialling codes	0531
Vehicle registration	BS
Website	Official Website

History

Map of Braunschweig in 1400

It wasn't until the 19th century, when industrialisation caused rapid population growth, that Braunschweig was enlarged beyond its medieval fortifications and the Oker. Therefore, up to that point the history of Innenstadt is identical with that of the city itself.[1]

From the Middle Ages up to the early modern period, Braunschweig's population ranged between about 15,000 and 25,000 people, making it one of the largest German cities at the time.[2] Today 13,500 people live in the Innenstadt.[3] Due to the city's growth since the 19th century, the district today therefore is home to just about 5.5% of Braunschweig's population, and makes up only 2.1% of its current area.[4]

During World War II the allied air raids destroyed 90 percent of Braunschweig's inner city.[5] A small section of the Altstadt survived the bombing, and since the 1990s there also have been increased efforts to restore and reconstruct historic buildings that had been destroyed in the war.

Politics

The district mayor, Ines Werner, is a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany.[6]

Main sights

Most of Braunschweig's main sights are located within the inner city, including the five so called Traditionsinseln - parts of the medieval city that either survived World War II or were reconstructed since then.[7]

The Traditionsinseln are:

• The Burgplatz (Castle Square), with Dankwarderode Castle, Brunswick Lion, and Brunswick Cathedral
• The Altstadtmarkt ("Old Town Market")
• The Michaelisviertel (St. Michael's Quarter)
• The Magniviertel (St. Magnus' Quarter)
• The Aegidienviertel (St. Giles' Quarter)

Also located within the district are the Herzog Anton Ulrich Museum, the State Museum of Brunswick, Brunswick Palace, and the State Theatre. The Innenstadt is Braunschweig's main shopping district and home to the city's annual christmas market.

• 
  Burgplatz
• 
  Altstadtmarkt
• 
  Haus zur Hanse (House of the Hanseatic League) in the Michaelisviertel
• 
  Magniviertel
• 
  Aegidienviertel
• 
  Christmas market on Burgplatz

Coat of arms

The Innenstadt uses the same coat of arms as the city of Braunschweig. Each of the five precincts also has its own coat of arms, all showing Brunswick's red lion on a silver shield:

• 
  Coat of arms of Altewiek
• 
  Coat of arms of Altstadt
• 
  Coat of arms of Hagen
• 
  Coat of arms of Neustadt
• 
  Coat of arms of Sack

References

1. Geschichte der Innenstadt (in German). Retrieved on October 4, 2012.
2. Camerer; Garzmann; Pingel; Schuegraf (1996). Braunschweiger Stadtlexikon (in German) (4th ed.). p. 66.
3. Einwohnerzahlen nach Stadtbezirken (in German). Retrieved on October 4, 2012.
4. Flächen der Stadtbezirke (in German). Retrieved on October 4, 2012.
5. Die Bombardierung Braunschweigs (in German). Retrieved on October 4, 2012.
6. Stadtbezirksrat 131 Innenstadt (in German) Archived 2013-07-24 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on October 4, 2012.
7. Tourist guide Braunschweig (in German). Retrieved on October 4, 2012.