Does the name Wansdorfer Platz ring a bell? It should because we are standing right here. Wansdorfer Platz might seem like just another square. But its name carries a story linked to a village outside Berlin.
Wansdorfer Platz is located in Hakenfelde. This area has the postal code 13587. You can reach Wansdorfer Platz by bus. Take the M45, 136, 236, or 671. The square sits where Amorbacher Weg, Wansdorfer Steig, Schwendyweg, and Michelstadter Weg meet. Once part of Spandau, the square’s name has been around since November 23, 1931.
The name “Wansdorfer Platz” comes from Wansdorf. Wansdorf is a municipality in Havelland, Brandenburg. Wansdorf was first mentioned in 1412 as Wanstorpe. Spandau bought the Rittergut or knight’s estate in Wansdorf in 1912. It was about 1,250 hectares. They used this land for their sewage fields during World War I.
Wansdorf has an interesting church. It is rectangular with a simple design. The church has a recessed tower. It dates back to the 17th century. The church was altered in the 19th century. More work was done in 1969. Today, Wansdorf is primarily an agricultural village. It covers 19.23 square kilometers. In 1998, it had 708 residents.
Wansdorfer Platz itself was created in 1928 and 1929. Back then, it was simply known as “Platz A”. Today, Wansdorfer Platz is more than just a name. It is a connection to the history of the surrounding area. It links Berlin to the rural landscapes of Brandenburg. The next time you pass through, remember its origins. It is more than just a square. It is a piece of local history. Take a moment to appreciate this small piece of Berlin.