Velodrom (Regensburg)
The Velodrom - built in 1897 as a cycling hall, used as a cinema until 1974 - has been a venue for the Regensburg Theater since 1998 after extensive renovation . The velodrome is located on Simon-Oberndorfer-Platz southwest of Arnulfsplatz at the beginning of Westnerwacht in Regensburg .
History until 1974
The businessman and artistic cyclist Simon Oberdorfer gave the impetus for the development of the site at Arnulfsplatz 195b . He engaged the young architect Joseph Koch for the planning . Initially, the building was only intended to be a pure cycling hall for demonstrations to his Wanderer-Radler-Verein, founded in 1891, and also to present his own cycling tricks. In the course of the planning, the idea of building an event center developed. The approval dragged on because the city magistrate repeatedly criticized the unfavorable escape route situation due to the narrow buildings. It was not until Adolf Schmetzer took action that the breakthrough came at the meeting on October 1, 1897, which obtained preliminary approval. Nevertheless, there were still some legal pitfalls to be found. It was not until 1898 that the opening could take place after a short construction period.
Structure and equipment
At 25 x 35 m, the hall was the largest hall in Regensburg at the time. It is a steel girder hall building with a pillarless roof structure and surrounding balconies supported by fluted columns. The artistically designed roof construction corresponded to the latest standard at the time and can be found in a similar, simplified construction on Cologne Cathedral . The equipment of the hall was imposing-upscale. In addition, Koch attached great importance to the lighting. Therefore the room got a modern, changeable lighting system with eight carbon arc lamps . The expansive stage, the retractable fountain and the slide on the right side of the gallery were remarkable.
use
In addition to many classic events with variety, dance and artistic performances, the hall was also rented out for large social events. The hall was also used in 1904 at the General Assembly of German Catholics ( 51st Catholic Day ). The hall was also left to the Bavarian Social Democrats when they were not rented any event rooms in the church-dominated Regensburg. So it happened that Georg von Vollmar , Kurt Eisner , Erhard Auer and Toni Pfülf also spoke in the Velodrom hall .
In 1929 Oberdorfer had the Velodrom converted into a “Capitol Cinema” and leased the property. In 1938 he sold it to a car repair shop, which kept the previous use. The Velodrome was preserved in this form and, after the reparation in 1945, continued to operate as a classic cinema. But it also served as a meeting room for the denazification processes . After its decline as a family cinema , the hall served as a porn cinema , which was closed in 1974.
Modern times from 1974
Decline and decay
From then on, after the interior fittings were torn down, the Velodrom was used as a set store for the Regensburg Theater, with the lack of building maintenance leading to considerable damage.
In 1990, the site with the building was sold to a company that drove the demolition due to an alleged dilapidation. When attentive and knowledgeable citizens questioned the company's statements, a Regensburg architect and a steel construction technician entered the premises without authorization and secretly took material samples for examination. The results were submitted to the city council, which immediately placed the building under monument protection in 1990.
Refurbishment 1996/98
When in 1990 the Regensburg Theater had to be closed for several years due to fire safety deficiencies, an alternative venue was sought. There was a choice between a new tent-like construction or the renovation of the velodrome. In 1966, the city council decided to renovate the Velodrom building according to strict monument preservation criteria, while preserving the historical substance and the graceful steel construction with gallery. In addition, the following should be created in modern architecture: a concise theater entrance, sufficient foyer areas, entrances to the existing underground car park, roofing with soundproofing, installation of heating, ventilation, stage technology, utility rooms, cloakrooms and sanitary facilities. In addition, a small adjoining hall could be built in the south of the building.
The project was planned in the shortest possible time and implemented in a construction period of 1.5 years. The result was probably the most beautiful alternative venue in Bavaria. During the excavation work, the remains of a Roman house were discovered, which are presented today. After installing modern seating, the building was henceforth used as a gaming venue and, with its diverse uses, it is no longer possible to imagine Regensburg without it.
Equipment and use today
There are currently 593 seats available in the auditorium, 490 seats in 17 rows as a grandstand structure in the stalls, 99 seats in the gallery and four wheelchair spaces. After being used as an alternative venue for all sections during the three-year renovation of the municipal theater on Bismarckplatz , the Velodrom venue is used for particularly large-scale productions, mainly for musicals, ballet and drama.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e Jens Friedrich, Florian Stetter and Wolfram Ney: The Velodrom in Regensburg: its history from variety theater to ruin work from the 1995 monument competition of the city of Regensburg. [available at: Regensburg University Library , Sig. 00 / NS 3105 F911]
- ↑ a b c Silvia Codreanu-Windauer, Lutz Dallmeier u. a. The velodrome; The story of a building in Regensburg. Planning and Construction Department of the City of Regensburg, Regensburg 2000.
- ^ Karl Bauer: Regensburg Art, Culture and Everyday History . 6th edition. MZ-Buchverlag in H. Gietl Verlag & Publication Service GmbH, Regenstauf 2014, ISBN 978-3-86646-300-4 , p. 411 f .
- ↑ a b c Peter Ittlinger: The renovation of the Velodrome - from ruins to lively cultural magnet . In: 40 years of urban development funding in Regensburg - a success story . City of Regensburg, Planning and Building Department, Office for Urban Development, Regensburg 2011, ISBN 978-3-935052-96-2 , p. 34 f .
- ↑ Description on the website of the Regensburg City Theater, accessed on October 23, 2018
Coordinates: 49 ° 1 ′ 11.6 ″ N , 12 ° 5 ′ 14.6 ″ E