How about a harbor that whispers tales of industrial might and urban evolution? This is Hafen Lichterfelde. It is nestled in Berlin’s Steglitz-Zehlendorf district. This inland port on the Teltow Canal boasts a history as intriguing as the waters that surround it.
Hafen Lichterfelde emerged during the Teltow Canal’s construction. The canal construction took place between 1900 and 1906. It was designed as one of five major ports along the canal. Others were Steglitz, Tempelhof, Mariendorf, and Britz-Ost. The harbor’s physical separation from the canal was a necessity. It allowed the towpath to run uninterrupted along the bank. A bridge carried it over the harbor entrance.
The eastern side of Hafen Lichterfelde saw the creation of Hafenstrasse. It was later renamed Am Hafen in 1921 and Barnackufer in 1961. The towpath system protected the canal’s bank. It also protected the canal bed from damage. Damage was caused by the wash and propeller action of steam tugs. After World War II, the towpath system was abandoned. The dam between the canal and harbor was removed after 1961. It was probably around 1970. Since then, the harbor basin has been directly connected to the Teltow Canal.
The construction of the Lichterfelde heating plant changed the harbor’s purpose. The harbor became a docking and unloading point for heating oil tankers. In 1950, the DDR blocked access to the Teltow Canal from the west. Until 1981, the harbor was reachable only via a long detour. The detour went east via the Havel, Spree, and Britz Canal. This made the harbor less attractive for use.
The harbor’s economic significance returned with the construction of the Lichterfelde heating plant. The plant was built next to Hafen Lichterfelde in 1970/74. Back then, it was the largest Bewag heating plant in West Berlin. The harbor and Teltow Canal enabled the transport of heating oil. Heating oil was needed as fuel. They also supplied the plant with cooling water. The plant switched to natural gas in 1998. Since then, the plant no longer uses the harbor.
Today, Hafen Lichterfelde hosts a temporary scrap metal transshipment point. There are also some boat moorings.
Originally, a narrow strip of land separated the harbor basin from the canal. The land was removed. This was probably to allow unrestricted cooling water supply for the Lichterfelde heating plant.
Hafen Lichterfelde stands as a testament to Berlin’s industrial heritage. It shows the city’s ability to adapt and evolve. From its beginnings as a vital transportation hub to its current role. It is now a quiet corner offering a glimpse into the past. The harbor’s story is etched in every ripple of the water. It echoes in the whispers of the wind. It is a reminder of Berlin’s ever-changing landscape.