Neustadt, Strasbourg

The Neustadt, which means "New Town" in German, is a part of Strasbourg. Back in 2017, UNESCO officially recognized the core of this district as a World Heritage Site.

The Neustadt district came into being during the time when the Germans held sway over the region, from 1871 to 1918. This new area was established to function as a fresh city center. In contrast to the older town situated on the Grande Île, which featured narrower, winding streets and fewer open spaces in 1871 compared to today, the Neustadt was designed with wide, grand boulevards and straight streets. These modern, spacious streets were considered healthier and easier to keep secure. To make room for this expansion, they dismantled various fortifications that were constructed mainly between 1519-1552 and 1630-1681. These remnants come to light with each archaeological dig in the region.

A variety of architectural styles were utilized in constructing the Neustadt, often on a large scale. These styles included Baroque Revival, Renaissance Revival, Gothic Revival, and Romanesque Revival, often combined in a mixture referred to as Historicism. Toward the late 19th century, a new architectural style, Art Nouveau, emerged alongside the introduction of reinforced concrete as a new building material, contributing to a more distinct architectural identity for the area.

The Neustadt area includes several public buildings and monuments that hold historical significance. These structures are now officially recognized as Historical Monuments. They include important places like the Palais du Rhin, The University Palace, the National and University Library, National Theatre of Strasbourg, the old Parliament building of Alsace-Lorraine, Palais de Justice, Palais des Fêtes, Saint Paul's Church, and other significant buildings.