Brick and turret give the impression of a monastery, but you are standing before the Friedrichshagen Waterworks. It stands as a powerful testament to Berlin’s industrial history. This is where the story of Berlin’s clean water and streets comes to life.
Completed in 1893, the Friedrichshagen Waterworks was once the largest and most modern of its kind in Europe. Picture it: six engine houses of red brick, standing proudly on the banks of Müggelsee Lake. These buildings, more akin to a monastery than a water facility, represent a pivotal moment in Berlin’s development.
Spanning 7,000 square metres, the museum grounds display the heart of this industrial complex. Inside, you’ll find three “Maschinenschöpfhäuser” pumping machines and the main machine hall, all remarkably preserved in their original state. One of the original three steam-powered machines is still operational. It offers a glimpse into the past.
The museum holds around 5,000 items. It includes photos, drawings, plans, maps, and documents. The exhibition traces the history of Berlin’s water supply and sewage disposal since 1850. It highlights the progress made in sanitation. Before canalisation, unhygienic conditions and diseases from supply wells and wooden water pipes were rampant. The construction of the sewer system, inspired by cities like London and Paris, changed everything. By 1909, every Berlin household was connected to the network.
Don’t miss the great machine hall. It showcases historical pumps, pipes, and valves. Explore the “underworld” of a pumping engine house. Admire the centrifugal space created by electric pumps and control panels crafted from marble. Take a guided tour to descend into the tunnel-like underground passageway.
The Friedrichshagen Waterworks also reflects on the separation of Berlin’s water supply after the city’s division in 1949. This complex history is explored through technical devices, tools, drawings, and photographs. A section titled “From carts to sewage treatment works” illustrates the evolution of sewage disposal in the city over 120 years.
The three steam pumping engines worked tirelessly until 1979. Today, one of them can still be rotated by an electric motor. The pumping houses, with their principal elevations facing the lake, were designed to impress.
Take your time here. Allow the stories of innovation, engineering, and public health to resonate. As you leave the Friedrichshagen Waterworks, consider the profound impact of clean water and sanitation on the city we see today. The past is not just preserved here. It still works.