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Secret finds under Mannheim's old ice rink: history comes to life!
Mannheim: Archaeological finds from the demolition of the old ice stadium document the history of the city from 1880 to 1960.
Secret finds under Mannheim's old ice rink: history comes to life!
In Mannheim, there is currently a lot of digging going on under the old ice rink. The demolition work, which began in July 2022, has already revealed some fascinating historical finds. Among other things, an old wall and many other artifacts were discovered that document the life of the city between 1880 and 1960. Klaus Wirth, the head of archaeological monument preservation at the Reiss-Engelhorn Museums, describes the construction site as a “true treasure trove” and is enthusiastic about the discoveries the archaeologists have made. Among other things, building rubble, bottle caps, tiles, light switches and sockets were found, some with manufacturer names and engravings that date back to the National Socialist era. These finds offer a valuable insight into Mannheim's past.
The first ice rink in Mannheim opened in 1938 during the Nazi era, but fell victim to an air raid just a few years later in 1943. During the excavations in July 2024, the archaeologists came across a foundation that belonged to a basement room in the stadium at the time. According to swr.de, the construction rubble that was found is interesting because it artificially raised the area and also gave archaeologists insight into the construction methods of that time.
Plans for the future
The site of the former ice rink is being redesigned by the University of Mannheim for IT applications and a modern data center. The move is planned for 2027, which could improve the location and at the same time mean a further step towards digitalization for the city. Even though no exhibition of the finds is currently planned because the pieces are considered too small and incomplete, all found items will be cleaned, recorded and photographed before they go to the museum storage facility.
These exciting excavations are further proof that Mannheim's history still holds many secrets. Each piece that comes to light tells its own story, connecting the present with the past. It remains to be seen whether the discovery of the historic wall, which was discovered during the excavations, will provide even more information about the city's history in the future. What is certain is that many exciting developments are currently taking place in the field of archeology and urban development in Mannheim.