Die Quadrate

Hey guys!

I'm back again! Bet you thought it was going to be a few more months until my next post. (It's ok, I don't blame you if you did.)

Assuming you read my previous post titled "Getting Around", you may have noticed a certain word I tossed in there a few times - Quadrate. "What is this Quadrate that he speaks of?", you may ask.

In short, the Quadrate is the main, central part of Mannheim so called because of how it is set up in a grid with squares (Quadrate translates into squares). This is very unique compared to other German cities, and has been around since 1607, if I'm not mistaken.

Here's a crude picture of a map of the Quadrate as a reference.

As you can see from my amazing picture, Quadrate is quite the appropriate name for it. So, how does one get around the Quadrate and know where places are? The Quadrate has a letter-number system, much like the game Battleship. If you look all the way at the bottom of Kurpfalzstraße (the vertical strip running down the middle), you will come to A1 on the left and L1 on the right. On the left side of Kurpfalzstraße, the letters go from A to K and on the left from L to Z. As you go further away from Kurpfalzstraße (away from the center and towards the ring around the Quadrate), the numerical values of the blocks increase. 

This system takes getting used to at first because people just aren't used to something so convenient. But after a week, it all makes sense. You don't have to remember any weird, obnoxious street names and you don't have to open your Map app on your phone. It's as simple as a letter and a number, and 95% of the time you will reach your destination. 

There are two streets in the Quadrate that are actually named, which must mean they are important (they kind of are). The first I already mentioned: Kurpfalzstraße. At one end of it is the palace/university and at the other is a bridge that leads over the Neckar. Kurpfalzstraße goes by some cool looking open squares (we'll talk about those some other time) and it's littered with stores, restaurants, and cafes. 

A view of Kurpfalzstraße heading north.

A view of Kurpfalzstraße heading towards the Palace (and some unfortunate pedestrians soon to be ran over by the tram).

The other street in the Quadrate intersects Kurpfalzstraße and is called Planken. It leads to the Wasserturm (water tower) at one end and to nowhere in particular at the other. It's also much like Kurpfalzstraße, however, the part from the center leading to the Wasserturm has a lot more luxury stores and cafes. It's also a nice place to just walk and go window shopping, especially once the trees bloom and it's a little warmer outside. The Planken is also closed off sometimes and has various festivals on it, such as Karneval or Stadt Fest (city fest). One of the best things going down the Planken is seeing really nice cars. And I mean REALLY nice. 

Like this Maserati...

And this Audi R8 <3

There are also some fashion stores if you have the money to spend. 

And of course these sneaky passages.

This one definitely leads to the Chamber of Secrets...or more stores. 

These are just a few glimpses at what you can see on the two streets of the Quadrate. If you come to Mannheim, odds are you will spend quite some time wandering these two streets and the majority of your time in the Quadrate. 

Next time I write, we'll take a little detour and look into the Studentenwohnheim (student housing areas) and places to live in Mannheim, with a focus on Ulmenweg, which is where I live!

Tschüss!