Bischleben-Stedten
Two places, one district
Catastrophic events
The two places are now part of Erfurt. They are connected by the Gera, on whose banks both lie.
The railway line to Erfurt also runs through both parts of this Erfurt district, with the train station in Bischleben. This is linked to two catastrophic events. The first is related to World War II. Shortly after the end of hostilities in Europe, an American Army ammunition train exploded at Bischleben train station. The resulting destruction still characterizes the area near the train station today: Until the devastating event on May 10, 1945, a path leads to the popular “Bergschlösschen” restaurant:
And who doesn't know the excursion restaurant “Bachstelze”, which is also located in Bischleben and, like the Athletes' Klause at the sports field, is located on a busy cycle path. Bischleben is still a popular excursion destination for many Erfurt residents and tourists.
Abrupt end after 200 years
In Stedten, on the other hand, things are quieter. The place has been shaped for many centuries by the Stedten estate and the von Keller family. Christoph Dietrich Keller acquired the estate in 1735. After he was raised to the nobility shortly afterwards, it made sense to build the family seat here. This is how Stedten Castle and Estate are built at the gates of Erfurt. Today's St. Elisabeth Church also dates from this time. The gravestones of many of the von Keller family's deceased can still be found in the cemetery in front of the church.
For almost exactly 200 years, its members have been commuting between the castle and the church, where they return to the baroque family home after the service. This ended in 1945. The von Keller family was dispossessed and the castle was demolished shortly afterwards. Only the church still stands today.
Bauhaus artist on the outskirts
From here a path leads through a small forest uphill to the residential area “Am Kirchberg”. This house has been there since 1939:
The Erfurt artist Margaretha Reichardt lived and worked here until her death in 1984. Trained at the Bauhaus in Dessau, she worked with textiles throughout her life. The handlooms required for this are still in your house on the outskirts of Stedten. And this is where our stories from the towns of Bischleben and Stedten, which are a district, end. A dirt road leads to Geratalstrasse and back to the city center.
