The Wannsee and the Havel


When the wall divided Berlin, the Wannse and the Havel  were one of the few opportunities for the West Berliners to relax within their home town. 26 years after the reunification, this stretch of water is still the ideal place to unwind after a hectic time.

Here you will find an idyllic landscape and a lot to explore. Berliners love to discover the area by boat. Various cruises  start from Wannsee.
 In the second half of the 19th century, the banker Wilhelm ^Conrad decided to establish a colony at Wannsee. He called it Alsen, after a Danish island -which played an important role in the war between Denmark and Germany (1864). This settlement was later incorporated into Zehlendorf.

landing stage at Wannsee


The Lido at Wannsee and Heckeshorn
You do not necessarily have to visit the seaside when you long for sand, water and a beach chair.  Strandbad  Wannsee  is one of the largest outdoor pools which is on an European inland water. In 1907 the Berliners bathed here for the first time. Opposite the beach is Heckeshorn. Here you can relax with a coffee, beer or whatever you fancy. Near the shore is an impressive copy of the statue of the Flensburger lion. The original is now in Copenhagen.
Other sights are the summer villa of the painter Max Liebermann, dating back to 1910, and the House of the Wannsee Conference. Here the deportation and murder of European Jews were planned on 20 January 1942. Since 1992, the Villa is an educational center.

Pfaueninsel (Peacock Island) and Kladow
One of the most idyllic spots in Berlin is Peacock Island, which is located in the Havel. Once it was called Kaninchenwerder, because rabbits were bred here. In 1685 the Great Elector gave Johann Kunkel, who was an alchemist, the island to make ruby ​​glass here. In 1793 Friedrich Wilhelm II discovered the island. He spent a happy time Herr with his mistress. For her he built a castle - in the style of a ruin!  Other notable buildings on  Peacock Island are the dairy and a temple dedicated to Queen Luise.
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the boatshouse at Peacock Island


the castle at Peacock Island


On the western banks of the Havel lies Kladow. This part of Berlin is located in Spandau. Popular is the ride on the BVG ferry from the landing stage at Wannsee, which takes you in about 20 minutes to Kladow. There are several restaurants on the promenade, they all offer wonderful views  Opposite is Imchen. The tiny island is a nature reserve, which may not be entered.

Nikolskoe and  Glienicke Bridge
In 1819 Frederick William III built the Russian block house Nikolskoe for his daughter Charlotte and her husband, the future Tsar Nicholas. Today it houses a restaurant. The church of St. Peter and Paul is another sight. On 13 August 1837 it was inaugurated.
The Glienicke bridge is a symbol of German division. Known worldwide was the Glienicke Bridge through the exchange of agents during the Cold War. In the late 17th century a first narrow wooden bridge was built at this location. The current bridge was opened in 1907.
Left from the Glienicke Bridge lies the Glienicke Hunting Lodge. The Great Elector let it built by Charles Philippe Dieussart.Today the hunting lodge is used as a training center.

 Schloss Glienicke ( Glienicke Palace).
 In 1824 acquired Prince Carl of Prussia, a son of Queen Louise, the land where today the Glienicke Palace stands. He hired two experts who designed him his paradise. For hours you can explore  Lennés huge park. Berlin’s great architect, Schinkel, was responsible for the castle and the casino.

 
       entrance to Glienicke Palace

How to get there: S1, S7 (Wannsee)

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