“Skandaaaaaaaal!” is immediatly in my head when I hear the word “scandal”. It’s from a song by the Spider Murphy Gang, a German music band from the 70’s. Their song “Skandal im Sperrbezirk” (scandal in the off-limits area) tells the story of Rosie, a prostitute … Continue reading Rosie’s Scandal
Mannheim Jungbusch
The history of the Mannheim suburb Jungbusch has changed a few times over the year. It was a large cemetery for victims of the black death during the 17th century and consequently was a neglected area in the times to follow despite its central location. After the straightening of the Rhein and a harbour development it became a an area where ship owners, captains, and merchants settled in the late 19th century. Large parts of Mannheim were destroyed during World War II but this suburb and the buildings from the Wilhelminian time survived – leaving lots of old structures. Then came the decline and the Jungbusch came to be known as the redlight district of Mannheim. The old warehouses closer to the river have deteriorated but some have given way to new buildings, commercial and residential. The old residential houses are being renovated. In short: gentrification is on the horizon with all the good and bad effects of the local inhabitants.
Linked to Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Urban Erosion.
This abandoned building is in the heart of the Mannheim quarter of Jungbusch. It’s near the old industrial harbour and the whole quarter is a mixture of run down, turn-of-the-last-century residential buildings, industrial buildings like warehouses and pre-war factories. At the same time there is construction work going on and new fashionable buildings have gone up, a mixture of offices and residences. One large block directly at the waterfront is the “Popakademie”, a private music school of national renown.
I don’t really understand the graffiti. It is against gentrification but I have no idea how the music school fits into this.
Linked to Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: All about buildings.
For once a whole story with my Six Word Saturday photo. I took this photo (and many others) in a not quite savoury part of Mannheim near the old harbour, an area bordering on the brink of gentrification.
While I was snapping away I heard a gruff voice in my back (please excuse the language, it was rather unsavoury, too): “Straighten your back and put your arse out!” I turned round with clenched cheeks, unsure how I should react when I saw two burly, bearded men who could have easily posed for this sprayed graffiti and who were using an old bollard as a impromptu gym machine and urging each other on.
Double entendres everywhere.
Linked to Six Word Saturday where you can find more sixer with or without accompanying stories.
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