If you want to delve into West Berlin’s diverse past, look no further than the historic old city of Spandau. Within one of Berlin’s most charming boroughs snakes Spandau’s Altstadtmeile, a walk designed to take visitors on a whistle-stop tour of the area’s most attractive and historically interesting buildings.
Spandau proudly boasts that it predates Berlin by five years, having first been mentioned in records in 1197. It was badly damaged during WWII and, after extensive renovation, has now been transformed into the largest pedestrian zone in Berlin. The self-guided tour is marked clearly by a painted yellow line, and will take around 45 minutes. Audio guides are also available from the tourist information centre located in the amazing 15th century Gotisches Haus, boasting stunning gothic features.
The most prominent building in the old city is the St. Nikolai church - one of Berlin’s oldest - dating from the late 14th century. It features a baroque spire which was renovated by famed architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel in 1839. Restored timber-framed Altbau buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century can be found in the vicinity, their black-and-white facades standing out against their brightly painted neighbours. Parts of the old city wall from the 14th century can still be seen on Viktoria-Ufer.
When you have finished exploring the old city, go across the bridge over the river Havel to the citadel, a magnificent Renaissance military fortress from 1594. In the past it was used to defend the city, most recently in the Battle of Berlin at the end of WWII. The striking square structure composes a number of different buildings, and is now used as a museum and outdoor concert venue.
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