Light Rail Arches (Berlin)
The light rail arches in Berlin (short: Stbbg. ) Are historical, brick viaduct arches in the course of the Berlin light rail , which date from the 19th century. They are consecutively numbered and partly serve as usable space for tradespeople, who often manage two or more adjacent vaults or arcades . The combination “Stadtbahnbogen (Stbbg.) + Number + postcode + city” partially replaces the regular postal address or building address , i.e. street and house number are omitted. However, for better orientation, the neighboring street is usually also indicated.
Of the 731 light rail arches originally built, a total of 597 could be used for commercial purposes. Their consecutive numbering began at the Schlesisches Bahnhof and ended at the Savignyplatz station immediately before Bleibtreustraße . 453 bows were available for rent when the Stadtbahn opened in 1882, but this was only possible for 58 bows in the first year. This number increased steadily over time, so that in 1885, for example, 148 arches and in 1896 392 arches were rented. The use of the arches mainly depended on the environment. At the train stations and bus stops, restaurants and small shops in particular rented their homes, which lived off the walk-in customers . Horse stables were often housed near the overpasses, which over time gave way to garages and motor vehicle shops. In addition, there was a wide variety of municipal and commercial uses. For example, there were warming halls for the homeless , storage rooms, backdrop shelters, freight forwarders and an animal shelter in the arches of the tram . The shops in the course of the light rail were an important place of trade and business life for the residents of the area. The various types of shops and services in the arches increased the supply of the residents, some shops still exist today.
The coordinates of the arches that still exist can be called up in the Geoportal Berlin. 456 coordinates are listed there, the number range extends from 041 to 591. Some numbers are assigned several times with additional letters (e.g. 401, 410A, 410B, 410C), and there are gaps.
See also
literature
- Falko Krause: The light rail in Berlin: planning, construction, effects . Diplomica Verlag, Hamburg 2014, ISBN 978-3-95850-046-4 , pp. 99 f .