Kellerkinder Im Norden: St. Pauli & Kiel

CP

You need 4 min read

·

Post on Nov 29, 2024

40 visitor like this post

Share

Kellerkinder im Norden: St. Pauli & Kiel – Eine Entdeckungsreise in die Unterwelt

Hey Leute! Let's dive into the fascinating, and sometimes slightly creepy, world of "Kellerkinder" – literally "cellar children" – in two very different, but equally compelling, northern German cities: St. Pauli in Hamburg and Kiel. I've spent a fair bit of time exploring both, and let me tell you, it's a journey into hidden histories and surprising stories.

St. Pauli: Sex, Drugs, and…Secret Basements?

St. Pauli, right? Everyone knows the reputation. Reeperbahn, red-light district, wild nights… the whole shebang. But beneath the glitz and the grime, beneath the throbbing pulse of the city, lie hidden stories. I once stumbled upon an old article (totally by accident, I swear!) about the history of St. Pauli's cellars. Apparently, they weren't just for storing beer – far from it.

Many of these cellars, especially around the beginning of the 20th century, served as makeshift homes, workshops, and even… well, let's just say questionable businesses. Think cramped, damp spaces, far from the glamorous image of the Reeperbahn above. Imagine the atmosphere: the smell of damp earth, the sounds of the city muffled but still present. It was a different world entirely.

These "Kellerkinder" weren't just fictional characters. They were real people, struggling to survive in a harsh environment. It’s a harsh reality to consider.

Finding the Hidden Histories of St. Pauli

Want to explore this side of St. Pauli? Forget the usual tourist traps (though, hey, a currywurst is always a good idea). I recommend:

• Exploring the side streets: Wander away from the main drags. You'll find clues to this hidden history in the architecture, in the little details that many visitors miss.
• Visiting the local museums: There are smaller museums dedicated to the history of the neighborhood, some even with exhibitions about everyday life in the past. You can find more information online.
• Reading up on local history: Seriously, do some research beforehand! Local libraries and online resources are your friends.

Kiel: A Quieter Cellar Life?

Kiel, on the other hand, presents a different picture. It's not as overtly "wild" as St. Pauli, but it still has its secrets. While I haven't uncovered any notorious "Kellerkinder" tales in Kiel quite like St. Pauli's, the city's history holds similar themes of hidden lives and difficult circumstances.

I remember visiting the old harbor area and noticing some of the older buildings – some have cellars that were clearly used for storage and perhaps even small workshops. Think about the shipbuilding industry—Kiel has a huge history with that, and imagine the lives of the workers who lived nearby. It was a totally different situation, but the idea of people living and working in those less-than-ideal conditions is still present.

Discovering Kiel's Underground

Kiel's exploration is a bit different. It's less about scandal and more about uncovering a quieter, more working-class history. My suggestion would be:

• Visiting the city's maritime museums: They offer insights into the lives of Kiel's working population throughout history, giving context to the potential existence of "Kellerkinder" in a different setting.
• Taking a walking tour: There are several that focus on Kiel's history. They are less focused on “Kellerkinder”, but they might show you places where such dwellings were common.
• Exploring the Altstadt (Old Town): Look carefully at the buildings and imagine the lives of the people who lived there in previous centuries.

The Shared Thread: Understanding the Past

Whether it's the vibrant chaos of St. Pauli or the quieter history of Kiel, exploring the idea of "Kellerkinder" gives us a deeper understanding of these cities' pasts. It reminds us that history isn't just about grand events but also about the everyday lives of ordinary people, often overlooked and forgotten. It was a reminder to me that the surface is just the beginning of the story, even in places I thought I knew pretty well. So, next time you're visiting either city, look beyond the obvious and see what secrets you can uncover. You might be surprised by what you find. Let me know in the comments what you discover!