Blut pot renovation: restaurateurs in Blaubeuren fight for survival

Von Kl Redaktion

The renovation of the blue pot area in Blaubeuren ensures concerned faces among the restaurateurs. Andrea Schneider-Yigit, landlady of the Blautopf inn, describes the situation as "hard". On the first weekend after the closure in August, the city was almost deserted. This is an unusual sight for the locals and reflects the concerns that many in the catering and tourism sector have.

The Blautopf, one of the best-known visitor magnets of the region, is expected to be closed for four years. These measures serve to modernize the historical area. The city of Blaubeuren started the construction work in August 2023, which should last until December 2028 and will cost millions. The source itself, known for its intensive blue, attracts up to half a million tourists every year, which underlines the economic importance of the place.

closure hits restaurateurs hard

According to Schneider-Yigit, the loss of income is already noticeable. Many of their colleagues report declines between 60 and 70 percent, which is an immense burden for many companies. Although the city has assured that the work is necessary, the innkeeper also demands better communication and planning, since the start of construction in the middle of the high season is unfavorable for many companies.

But there are also small bright spots: Manuela Irlwek, city planner, has reported that the construction fence was opened every now and then, so that visitors are given access to the source in certain time windows. These short -term openings could have a positive effect, but it is difficult if guests plan their visits in the long term.

The challenges of blocking

A possible solution that is intensively discussed is the construction of a viewing platform. This platform could enable visitors to continue to experience the source's spectacle. However, this requires approval by the local council and could prove to be a bureaucratic hurdle. For the restaurateurs in the area, it only represents part of the puzzle.

It is important that the city administration takes the concerns of the economic operators seriously and is looking for ways to ensure access to the source during the renovation work. "The blue pot must simply be accessible as far as possible," says Schneider-Yigit. The renowned karst source, which impresses with its unique color, also has a fascinating explanation: the light breaks in small limestone particles in the water and makes the blue appear radiant. This natural phenomenon not only attracts tourists, but also nature lovers who are interested in the geological peculiarities of the region.

In view of the great importance that the blue head for the city of Blaubeuren and the surrounding businesses has, it remains to be seen how the city administration will react to the claims. The ongoing dialogue between city and gastronomy will be decisive to master the challenges of the coming years and to preserve the tourist attractiveness of the region.