Chemnitz shows garages as places of cultural identity

As the European Capital of Culture, Chemnitz is inviting visitors to discover a diverse garage landscape in a major participatory project. Garages are part of cultural identity, especially in Central Eastern Europe, said the curator of the "#3000Garages" project, Agnieszka Kubicka-Dzieduszycka. "We see garages as community spaces, as living archives, as creative spaces, as places of learning." The new trail tells the individual stories of garage users and garage yards, but also links them to the history of the city.

Garages as a mirror of the city's history

The ten stations not only include garage yards, such as those that were once built in large numbers during the GDR era. The trail also leads to much older places. These include the coach house of Villa Esche, built in 1902/03 according to plans by Henry van de Velde. It is probably the oldest garage in the city.

Or today's Garage Campus, a former streetcar depot whose roots go back to the 19th century. There is also the historic high-rise garage from 1928 to discover, built in the New Objectivity style. Created in response to growing parking problems, the now listed building offered parking spaces for around 300 cars and motorcycles. They were transported to their parking space by freight elevator.

Art installations and concerts

The stations are also venues for other cultural events. For example, an installation by artist Martin Maleschka entitled "Ersatzteillager" will be shown in the elevated garage, which houses the Chemnitz Vehicle Museum. There are also plans for garage concerts in the courtyards, a video installation about garage interiors and an interactive installation by Cosima Terrasse on creativity and community spirit in the garage courtyard.

Stations on the trail can be explored independently in the city until the end of the year - on foot, by bike or as a streetcar and bus tour.