Spandau

Spandau
Name	Spandau
State	Berlin
District	borough
Area	91.91
Population	243,977
Population as of	2023
Coordinates	52, 33, N, 13...
Postal code	13581–13599
Area code	030
Website	www.berlin.de/ba-spandau

Spandau. It is the westernmost of the twelve boroughs of Berlin, Germany, situated at the confluence of the Havel and Spree rivers. With a history dating back over 800 years, it is one of the oldest settlements in the Berlin area, known for its historic old town, significant industrial heritage, and expansive natural landscapes. The borough is administratively distinct and functions as a major economic and cultural hub within the German capital.

History

The earliest recorded mention stems from 1197, noted in a deed from Brandenburg Bishop Siegfried. It gained its town charter around 1232, predating the formation of Berlin itself. For centuries, it was a fortified town within the Margraviate of Brandenburg, with its strategic importance underscored by the construction of the Spandau Citadel in the 16th century under Elector Joachim II. The town became a major Prussian garrison city and a center for armaments manufacturing, exemplified by the establishment of the Royal Rifle Factory. It was formally incorporated into Greater Berlin in 1920. Following World War II, it fell within the British Sector of Allied-occupied Germany, and the Spandau Prison, which held convicted Nuremberg war criminals like Rudolf Hess, became an infamous global symbol until its demolition in 1987.

Geography

The borough is characterized by its extensive waterways and green spaces. It is bordered by the state of Brandenburg to the west and north, and by the Berlin boroughs of Reinickendorf and Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf. The landscape is dominated by the Havel river, which forms the Großer Wannsee and Tegeler See, and includes large forested areas such as the Spandauer Forst and parts of the Grunewald. Notable geographical features include the Havelberg and the Tiefwerder Wiesen, one of the last remaining floodplain meadows in Berlin.

Demographics

As of 2023, it has a population of approximately 244,000 inhabitants. The population density is lower than the Berlin average, partly due to the large areas of forest and water. The borough has several distinct neighborhoods, including the historic center Altstadt Spandau, the garden city of Staaken, and the lakeside areas of Wilhelmstadt and Kladow. In recent decades, it has seen an increase in residents with a migration background, contributing to its diverse community fabric, with significant communities from Turkey, Poland, and various Arab countries.

Economy

Historically centered on military production and heavy industry, its economic profile has diversified. Major industrial employers have included Siemens, which operated large plants, and the former Borsigwalde locomotive works. Today, it hosts important commercial and industrial zones like the Spandau Industrial Park and the Berlin-Spandau Port, an inland port on the Havel. The Wasserstadt Oberhavel is a large, modern residential and commercial development project. Retail and commerce are focused around the Altstadt Spandau and the Spandau Arcaden shopping center.

Culture and sights

The cultural heart is the historic old town with the St. Nicholas Church and the Town Hall. The Zitadelle Spandau is a well-preserved Renaissance fortress hosting museums, concerts, and festivals, including an annual open-air music festival. The Gotisches Haus is a notable late Gothic brick building. Other key institutions are the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Spandau and the Berlin Art Foundry. Annual events like the Spandau Christmas Market and the Spandau Folk Festival draw visitors from across the region.

Transport

It is a major transport node for western Berlin. The main railway station, Berlin-Spandau station, is served by regional trains operated by Deutsche Bahn, the Berlin S-Bahn lines S3 and S9, and the Berlin U-Bahn line U7. An extensive network of bus and tram lines, operated by Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, connects the various neighborhoods. Road access is provided by the Berliner Ring motorway, the Bundesautobahn 111, and the Bundesstraße 2. The waterways of the Havel are also used for passenger ferries and commercial shipping.

Category:Boroughs of Berlin Category:Localities in Berlin