Envision a verdant jewel nestled in the Havel. This is Kleiner Wall. Some call it Liebesinsel or Love Island. It is a small island with a rich story.
Kleiner Wall sits in the Spandauer See section of the Havel. It is near the Spandauer Nordhafen and Maselake-Bucht. The Spandauer-See-Brücke is a short distance away. Eiswerder, a much larger island, lies to the north.
The oval-shaped island spans about 2228 square meters. It measures roughly 80 meters long and 35 meters wide.
Poplars, lindens, chestnuts, and maple trees flourish here. Kleiner Wall is privately owned. Several weekend homes stand close together.
The former restaurant Zur Liebesinsel is the main building. It sits on the island’s southern half. Renovated in 1998, the restaurant closed in 2008. A private ferry once served the restaurant. Patrons could call for it from the Havelufer.
The building may date back to 1880. Some say a Spandau master builder erected it in 1905. However, the Anglerverein Einigkeit Spandau held its founding meeting here in 1901. So the earlier date seems more plausible.
The narrow building features a tower. It may mimic the Binger Mäuseturm. The Spandau garrison likely used this “Spandauer Mäuseturm” as a lookout.
Kleiner Wall and Großer Wall served military purposes in the late 19th century. They were used for drills. The Havelufer across from Havelschanze was part of Spandau’s fortress area. Spandau became a fortress city in 1873. It belonged to the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Garde-Grenadier-Regiment “Königin Elisabeth”.
Klaus-Dieter Wille suggests the islands’ names come from this era. “Wall” refers to a military term, not a geographic feature. Soldiers supposedly used the island as a love nest. This is how Liebesinsel got its name.
Around 1900 to 1930, the restaurant was called “Sportpark”. But people still called it “Mäuseturm”. A 1963 water sports map simply names the restaurant “Zur Liebesinsel”.
Kleiner Wall is a haven of nature. It is a place with a unique past. It reminds us of Spandau’s military history. It also shows us the lighter side of life as a love nest. The island’s story continues to evolve. Kleiner Wall remains a captivating spot on the Havel.