Once, express S-Bahn trains whisked people to financial centers at 120 km/h. These trains were known as the Banker Trains. They served Zehlendorf until World War II disrupted the service. Now we stand in Zehlendorf. It is a locality within Berlin’s Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough. Zehlendorf was once its own borough before Berlin’s 2001 reform. It included Wannsee, Nikolassee and Dahlem.
Zehlendorf boasts natural beauty. It features the Grunewald forest and the Schlachtensee. The Krumme Lanke and Waldsee lakes also enhance its landscape. Affluent residential areas mark Zehlendorf. Some have cobblestone streets and century-old buildings.
The village’s history dates back to 1245. It was first mentioned as Cedelendorp. This appeared in a contract. The contract involved Margraves John I and Otto III of Brandenburg. Lehnin Abbey was also a party. Cedelen likely meant settlement or noble. Cedelendorp could mean noble village.
During World War II, Zehlendorf saw a mix of figures. Top Nazis mingled with regime opponents here. Walter Helfenstein served as Zehlendorf’s mayor. He was a committed Nazi. In 1935, Helfenstein erected a memorial. It honored Theodor Fritsch. Fritsch was an antisemitic publisher. The memorial was called Germany’s first antisemitic memorial. Sculptor Arthur Wellmann created it. Wellmann lived in Zehlendorf. He later emigrated to the United States. In 1943, the Fritsch memorial was melted down. The metal was used for armaments. As the Red Army advanced, Helfenstein committed suicide in 1945. His death appears in Theodor Plievier’s novel Berlin.
In 1944, Zehlendorf held a subcamp. It was part of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Polish women were imprisoned here.
Zehlendorf divides into six zones. These are Düppel, Schlachtensee-Ost, Schönow/Zehlendorf-Süd, Zehlendorf-West, Zehlendorf-Ost and Zehlendorf-Nord. The last is also known as Onkel-Tom-Siedlung.
Visitors often stop at Dahlem Church. Pastor Martin Niemöller preached here. He served from 1931 to 1937. Niemöller opposed the Nazis. His sermons led to imprisonment. Published in English, they shaped discussions. They influenced Christian circles’ views of National Socialism.
Many walking trails surround Zehlendorf. Popular routes include the Grunewald trails north from Onkel Toms Hütte. Another is from Krumme Lanke U-Bahn station to the lake. You can also walk across Zehlendorf. Start at Krumme Lanke U-Bahn. End at Zehlendorf S-Bahn station. Zehlendorf’s shopping center has been modernized. New construction focuses on the Zehlendorf S-Bahn station.
During the Cold War, American forces occupied Berlin. Zehlendorf became a key area. The Steuben Barracks were located here. Dahlem and Lichterfelde also housed many forces. These included elements of the Berlin Brigade at McNair Barracks.
Zehlendorf offers direct access to central Berlin. The S1 line stops three times here. It runs through Unter den Linden. The Brandenburg Gate stands there. The U3 line also serves Zehlendorf. Stations include Onkel Toms Hütte and Krumme Lanke. The Bundesstraße 1 federal highway crosses Zehlendorf. It follows Berliner Straße, Potsdamer Straße and Potsdamer Chaussee. Zehlendorf also connects to the A 115 Autobahn. This is the former AVUS racing track. The junction is HÜttenweg. Zehlendorf is a blend of nature and history. It combines affluence with somber reminders of the past.