“A street in Reinickendorf district.” That’s how some describe Frohnauer Brücke. But there is much more to it than that. Let’s explore this unique bridge.
Frohnauer Brücke is located in Berlin’s Reinickendorf district. More specifically, it is in Frohnau. Frohnau itself is in the northern part of Berlin. It is known as an affluent area. Many patrician villas from the early 20th century define the area. Frohnau was founded in 1910. It was designed as a planned community. It embodies the early twentieth-century garden city idea.
Count Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck bought the Stolper Heath in 1907. He bought it for the Berlin Terrain Commission. Joseph Brix and Felix Genzmer won the design competition. Their plan featured an asymmetrical design. It looked like a natural development. It appeared to emerge from the dunes near the Havel River. Even the name “Frohnau” came from a contest. In 1920, Frohnau became part of Greater Berlin.
The Frohnauer Brücke is more than just a street. It is a vital part of Frohnau’s identity. It links different parts of the community. The bridge facilitates movement. It allows residents and visitors to traverse the area easily. The Frohnauer Brücke connects people to the S-Bahnhof.
The natural center of Frohnau has always been the train station. The nearby buildings are also important. The casino tower serves as Frohnau’s symbol. The area stands out with its large mansion-like buildings.
Frohnau boasts impressive architecture. Walter and Johannes Krüger designed the Church of St. John. Hart and Lesser designed the train station and casino tower. Max Meyer designed the Buddhist house. Heinrich Straumer, known for Berlin’s radio tower, also contributed.
Frohnau also has one of Germany’s tallest structures. The Richtfunkmast is a microwave radio tower. It reaches 358.6 meters in height. It was built between 1977 and 1979. Until German reunification, it maintained microwave radio contact with West Germany. The receiving tower was in Gartow, Lower Saxony.
A smaller steel framework tower stands near the Richtfunkmast. It is 117 meters tall. It had 18-meter diameter parabolic antennae. These enabled radio connection to Lower Saxony until 1995. Since 2002, mediumwave digital radio transmissions have been tested here. A 10-meter long-wire antenna was added. This accommodated mediumwave transmissions.
So, next time you cross the Frohnauer Brücke, remember its story. It is more than just a street. It represents Frohnau’s history, architecture, and community spirit.