Au-Haidhausen - History and Description

History and Description

Au and Haidhausen used to be hostel areas for trade workers and day labourers previous to the Münchner Tor. Both formerly independent munincipalities were incorporated on 1 October 1854 and developed into suburbs in the Gründerzeit. Many breweries were located on the high banks of the Isar, thus right on the edge of the terrace. These were good locations for deep natural water sources and beer cellars; for this reason, the name "Keller" (cellar) is still used to refer to the brewery-restaurants nearby. Near Rosenheimer Platz on Rosenheimer street stood the Bürgerbräukeller, the location of the first assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler. Today, one of the largest breweries in Munich can be found there: Paulaner, in Au.

Even though the structural integrity of buildings in Au was heavily compromised during the Second World War and only a fifth of buildings dated before 1919 still stand, the historical townscape of Haidhausen remains largely intact. Of high constructional significance is the Franzosenviertel ("the French quarter"), so called because of given street names to locations of victory in battles of the German-French War. The existence of good condition housing lead to Haidhausen becoming the second largest area of redevelopment in the 1970s, alongside Schwanthalerhöhe. This property redevelopment and revaluation triggered by the uupgrade of accommodation lead to not only restructuring of a suburb to the outskirts of the area, but also a change of image, thus putting Haidhausen in competition with Schwabing as a trendy area to live in Munich.

The balanced mixture of accommodation and living in Au and Haidhausen has shifted towards housing; this is due to the outsourcing of otherwise bothersome trades. Most jobs in the district lie in service industries and other public areas.

Haidhausen accommodates the Bayerische Landtag in the Maximilianeum, the Klinikum rechts der Isar and the Wiener Markt. On the northern border the Friedensengel (peace angel) towers above the city on the Isar plateau. If one follows Prinzregentenstraße. from there to the east, around 100 metres along on the right hand side is the Villa Stuck, that the "Malerfürst" ("Painter prince") Franz von Stuck allowed to be constructed according to his own blueprints. As of 2004 the entirely reconditioned buildings of the Villa and the former studio is now an art museum. Further east down Prinzregentenstraße lies the Prinzregententheater, one of the most striking art nouveau theatre buildings in Germany; adjacent to which is the Prinzregentenstadion, which serves as a popular ice skating venue in winter. With the Maria-Theresia-Gymnasium in the south the district also accommodates one of the few German Schools of Excellence.

With the Auer Dult taking place three times per year at the Mariahilfplatz, and the tapping of Bock at the Nockherberg in the Salvatorkeller of the Paulaner brewery on the Hochstraße (High street), rebuilt after heavy fire damage, Au has a significant amount of traditional daily culture.

Between the Mariahilfplatz and the Nockherberg, through which the Auer Mühlbach borders, is Neudeck Prison, a youth and female detention centre. The neo-baroque building constructed at the beginning of the 20th century has provisions for 124 detainees. According to 2006 plans, the prison is to be relocated and a hotel established in its place.

In the last few years, the average age of people in both borough districts has become lower. Just under a quarter of the borough's inhabitants are foreigners; by proportion, the east Asian population is the largest of Munich.