For decades, passionate amateur photographer Jürgen Nieswand captured the evolving face of Solingen's city center through his camera lens, creating an invaluable visual chronicle of urban transformation. His extensive photographic collection, now housed in the city archives, provides a unique perspective on how the German city's heart has changed over the years, with a particular focus on the iconic Mühlenplatz square.

Nieswand's journey with photography began at age 13 when he acquired his first camera, an Agfa-Box costing 14 Deutsche Marks, money he earned through messenger jobs in Hanover. His early life was marked by displacement – born in January 1945, he fled East Prussia with his mother and brother, and later escaped from East Germany with his reunited family in February 1953. Since autumn 1953, Nieswand has called Solingen home, living in the city's heart on Kotter Straße, Florastraße, and currently with his wife Renate on Burgstraße.

Health issues forced Nieswand to abandon his beloved hobby more than ten years ago, but not before amassing what he estimates to be tens of thousands of photographs. The sheer volume of his work led him to donate a significant portion of his collection to the city archives, including prints, negatives, slides, and a hard drive containing digital images. His photographic book collection is now displayed at the German Museum for Photography, Film and Television Technology in Deidesheim, and his images have graced Solingen calendars and photo books throughout the years.

Nieswand's talent earned him numerous awards at photography competitions, with his first prize of 200 marks coming in 1959 in the blade city, as Solingen is known for its cutlery industry. He became an active member of photography groups at the House of Youth and the Trade Union House. His skills were so impressive that he was accepted into the legendary Photo Club Gamma Hagen, where membership required demonstrating exceptional ability. The club, which operated until its dissolution in 1989, achieved prestigious awards through regular competition participation, including recognition from the French President.

Nieswand's professional career with the city government provided him with unique insights into downtown development. From 1965 to 1971, he worked in the finance department, followed by a stint in the press and advertising office until 1978. He later served 20 years as First Deputy Mayor and City Treasurer in nearby Haan. During his tenure in Solingen in the 1960s and 1970s, he witnessed major urban renewal projects including the comprehensive renovation of the hospital complex (then called the Municipal Hospital Facilities), construction of the Tower Center, redesign of the Schlagbaum area, and the transformation of Mühlenplatz.

Mühlenplatz became one of Nieswand's favorite photographic subjects, and his camera documented the 1961 demolition of makeshift sales pavilions that had served as early signs of post-war recovery. These temporary structures represented the city's initial attempts to reorganize itself after World War II, with established businesses later relocating to newly constructed buildings along the main street. Following the removal of these barracks-like structures, the central downtown square experienced what Nieswand describes as a golden age lasting until the millennium, thanks to urban planning reforms implemented in the 1960s.

His photographs from the 1970s capture a vibrant community space where young people relaxed by the fountain and chess players engaged in intense matches before large audiences. The images reveal a thriving social hub where residents gathered and interacted, creating the kind of community atmosphere that Nieswand believes is lacking today. The late 1990s brought another wave of significant changes with the construction of Clemens Galleries, which opened in April 2000. His photographs from the early 2010s show the square bustling with activity as crowds filled the area around the new shopping complex.

Reflecting on Mühlenplatz's current state, Nieswand offers a frank assessment: the square simply doesn't function as it should, though he acknowledges this decline is partly due to broader challenges facing brick-and-mortar retail. However, he identifies a deeper issue – the absence of community spirit that once defined the city, particularly during memorable events like the 1974 celebration of Solingen's 600th anniversary. His decades-long photographic documentation serves not only as an artistic achievement but as a valuable historical record of how urban spaces evolve and the importance of community engagement in creating vibrant city centers.