Willy-Brandt-Platz

Willy-Brandt-Platz occupies a central position in Dortmund’s city centre, northeast of the Reinoldikirche. The church stands at the square’s edge. At its centre, the Reinoldikirche Stadtbahn station forms a glass-and-steel structure topped by a steel pylon. The station belongs to Dortmund’s underground light-rail system. The square’s redesign replaced the setting where above-ground trams once crossed from east to west. Westenhellweg and Ostenhellweg border the square to the south. These two major shopping streets connect the plaza with Dortmund’s central commercial area and give the location a transport role. The Europabrunnen opens the square towards Kleppingstraße with a visible fountain. The name honours Willy Brandt, who served as Berlin’s governing mayor, federal foreign minister, vice-chancellor and chancellor. His Nobel Peace Prize connects the square’s name with post-war German political history. Together, the church, station, fountain and shopping streets place Willy-Brandt-Platz between Dortmund’s historic landmarks and modern city movement.