A whisper of history. That’s what the Nordhafen in Berlin feels like. A forgotten whisper.
Right here before you lies the Nordhafen a former inland harbor. It’s a branch canal of the Havel River. This quiet spot in the Spandau district’s Hakenfelde locality once bustled with activity. Imagine the scene. Ships laden with goods for the city’s gasworks and industries. Think of the Hamburger and Lehrter railway stations. Their needs fueled this harbor’s life.
Construction began in 1856. By 1858 the Nordhafen opened. It handled 38 ships at a time. Each ship carrying up to 200 tons. But the Nordhafen had problems. The high embankments made unloading difficult. Facilities were inadequate. Ships preferred the better-equipped Humboldthafen.
The Nordhafen’s role changed over time. Berlin took control in 1886. BEHALA took over in 1923. They transformed it into a city-owned operation in 1937. World War II severely damaged the harbor. The location on the sector border added to its decline. The harbor’s eastern side closed in 1952. The western side followed in 1966. The old harbor now provides green spaces.
Today though it’s a serene place. You can almost sense the ghosts of the past. The echoes of loading cranes. The shouts of dockworkers. The splash of waves against the old stone. The Nordhafen may be quiet now. But it holds a valuable story. A story of industry. A story of change. A story of Berlin itself.