Anyone looking for an apartment in Kiel will inevitably come across the Gaarden district. With approximately 30,000 inhabitants, it is one of Kiel’s largest districts.
Gaarden consists of two distinct districts, Gaarden-East and Gaarden-South/Kronsburg, separated by a main road. The history of Kiel’s shipbuilding industry has shaped Gaarden and its cultural diversity. Economically and socially, the district has suffered greatly from the decline of this industry.
The districts originally existed as separate villages and were incorporated into the city of Kiel in the 18th century. Even today, the names Gaarden-East (Klösterlich-Gaarden) and Gaarden-South (Fürstlich-Gaarden) still refer to the former owners of the villages. Before its incorporation, Gaarden-East belonged to Preetz Abbey, while Gaarden-South belonged to the Holstein princes. The Mühlenbach stream, which now flows underground through the Brook, formed the boundary between the villages.
Gaarden-East today:
Gaarden East is home to many students. Many attend the Faculty of Engineering at Kiel University (Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel), located in the district, as well as the Kiel University of Applied Sciences (FH Kiel). The multicultural district of Gaarden East is home to people, both native and with a migration background, from over 100 countries. As a result, the district boasts a wide variety of international grocery stores, cafés, and restaurants. Every major supermarket chain we know is also represented here. Gaarden East is a popular student hotspot, not only because of its many nightlife options but also because everything is generally a bit cheaper than in other parts of the city.
Culturally, Gaarden-Ost also has a lot to offer, as many creative people live here and the creative and cultural scene is growing. This is one reason why the city of Kiel sees great potential in this district and has supported it since 2000 with the „Social City“ funding program. Although it looks a bit „shabby“ in some areas and the district has been described as a „hotspot of Kiel,“ it attracts young people. But, as is often the case in such hotspot districts, Gaarden-Ost could be undergoing a transformation. Besides the focus the city of Kiel has on the district, there are other signs that point in this direction. Restaurants with vegan dishes, organic food stores, and the growing number of artists moving in are often precursors of such a development. The city’s proximity to the city center, directly on the eastern shore of the Kiel Fjord, as well as the sports and community park, the skate park, the Kiel University (CAU), and low rents also make the district an attractive place to live.
Gaarden-Süd today:
Gaarden-Süd/Kronsburg was incorporated into the Baltic Sea city in 1901. Not much happens in this part of Gaarden, and so the district benefits from the multicultural and vibrant environment of its neighbor, Gaarden-Ost.
Via the Hornbrücke or the Friesenbrücke bridges, you can reach the main train station in about 15 minutes by bicycle or on foot, and from there you have good connections to other parts of the city. There are several shops there for your daily needs.
The THW Kiel sports center, known for its Bundesliga handball team, and the Waldwiesenstadion of VfB Kiel are located around the Vieburg woods. The KSV Holstein Women’s team also has its home ground here, playing its women’s league home games at the Waldwiesen stadium.
The Vieburg Woods, a 70-hectare recreational area, is most easily reached via the Friesenbrücke bridge. The television tower is also located here; at approximately 226.9 meters, it is the tallest structure in Schleswig-Holstein.
The traditional working-class district has transformed into a vibrant, multicultural, and unique neighborhood. Its proximity to the city center and the Kiel Fjord, generous green spaces, well-preserved older buildings, and a growing cultural and creative scene are key characteristics of this district.
