Wilhelmsruh

Gazing upon Wilhelmsruh, one might initially see a quiet Berlin suburb. But beneath the surface lies a captivating tapestry of history. Wilhelmsruh started as a simple country house named Nordend in Rosenthal. By 1892, it blossomed into Colonie Wilhelmsruh. The “Greater Berlin Act” in 1920 officially welcomed Wilhelmsruh into Berlin. The Cold War cast a long shadow, with the Berlin Wall slicing through the area from 1961 to 1989, separating it from the West. Wilhelmsruh holds the distinction of being Berlin’s smallest locality, surpassed in size only by Halensee and Hansaviertel. This small locality is nestled within the larger borough of Pankow. It’s bordered by Rosenthal, Niederschönhausen, Reinickendorf, and Märkisches Viertel. Interestingly, despite its proximity, Wilhelmsruh doesn’t directly border Wittenau. Two small lakes grace Wilhelmsruh: Wilhelmsruhsee and Garibalditeich. Garibalditeich, named after the Italian patriot Giuseppe Garibaldi, is located on Garibaldistraße. Beyond its tranquil lakes, Wilhelmsruh boasts a blend of architectural styles. Five-story buildings from the 1950s stand alongside elegant villas and remnants of industrial structures. The Bergmann Elektrizitätswerke, established around the turn of the 20th century, played a significant role in Wilhelmsruh’s history. This factory, unfortunately, also produced armaments, making it a target during World War II. After the war, the factory was rebuilt. Ironically, the Cold War and the Berlin Wall transformed the Bergmann factory grounds into a border zone. Today, this space serves as a hub for businesses, cultural venues, educational institutions, and artist studios. Wilhelmsruh’s transport links include the S-Bahn lines S1 and S85, stopping at Wilhelmsruh station. Bus lines 122 and 155 also serve the area. Wilhelmsruh station played a unique role during the Cold War. Located on the western side of the wall, it was accessible only to West Berliners. The station also marks the former junction of two now-abandoned railway lines, the Prussian Northern Railway and the Heidekraut Railway.