Is it really a desert before us? The Wüste Mark. It is more like farmland. The name Wüste Mark refers to a deserted settlement.
The Wüste Mark is a 21.83-hectare field. It lies in the Parforceheide in Brandenburg. It belongs to the municipality of Stahnsdorf. Until 1988, it was a West Berlin exclave within the GDR.
Since 1920, the Wüste Mark was part of Greater Berlin. It was part of the Zehlendorf administrative district. After World War II, Germany was divided. Zehlendorf became part of the American sector. It became part of West Berlin. In 1948, the GDR was founded. In 1952, West Berliners were banned from entering the GDR. East Berlin was the exception until 1961. This created West Berlin exclaves within the GDR.
From 1952, the Wüste Mark was no longer accessible for West Berliners. In 1959, Hans Erich Wendt leased the Wüste Mark. He wanted to farm it. The GDR authorities allowed it at first.
In August 1961, the Berlin Wall was built. Wendt was then denied access to the Wüste Mark. In 1965, he obtained special permission. He could cross the Dreilinden border checkpoint. He used the transit highway to reach his fields. He farmed the Wüste Mark until 1988. He mainly grew potatoes and rye.
In 1988, West Berlin and the GDR negotiated a land exchange. The Wüste Mark was exchanged for other areas. These areas included the Lenné Triangle at Potsdamer Platz. Since then, the Wüste Mark belongs to Stahnsdorf.
During the exclave times, the Wüste Mark was not fenced. Border signs marked it as a restricted area. It is not known if the area was guarded. It was theoretically possible for GDR citizens to reach West Berlin.
Today, the Wüste Mark is just farmland. The history makes it special. It is a reminder of a divided past. The Wüste Mark a silent witness to history.