Bauhafen Teltowwerft

Nestled along the Teltowkanal, the Bauhafen Teltowwerft whispers stories of innovation and resilience. The Bauhafen Teltowwerft wasn’t always a quiet residential area. It began as a bustling hub for canal maintenance in 1906, a vital part of the Teltowkanal’s infrastructure. Originally, the Bauhafen Teltowwerft, along with its power plant, served the crucial role of maintaining and powering the canal’s towboat operations. The site, even after Zehlendorf’s incorporation into Greater Berlin in 1920, remained under the ownership of the Brandenburg district of Teltow. This seemingly mundane shipyard became a pioneer in electric arc welding in shipbuilding. In 1927, the Bauhafen Teltowwerft defied skeptics and launched the Zehlendorf. This was Germany’s first fully welded passenger ship, a testament to their innovative spirit. This ship, affectionately nicknamed “Kaffee Vaterland”, became a beloved vessel on Berlin’s waterways. The Bauhafen Teltowwerft’s success with welding didn’t stop there. They applied this cost-effective and robust technique to construct other vessels like the icebreaker Eisbär and the tugboat Havel. They even built cranes and expanded their facilities. This allowed them to weather the Great Depression relatively unscathed. The Bauhafen Teltowwerft continued to build and repair ships even amidst the challenges of World War II and the division of Germany. They produced passenger ships for the Stern und Kreisschiffahrt company, including the MS Kohlhase in 1954. This ship, named after the legendary Hans Kohlhase, still sails the Havel today. Sadly, the Bauhafen Teltowwerft closed its doors in 1962. The restricted access due to the Berlin Wall made it difficult to compete. Yet, the echoes of its innovative past linger in the ships that still grace Berlin’s waters. The Bauhafen Teltowwerft stands as a testament to a time of ingenuity and perseverance. Today, the site has been transformed into a residential area, but the protected shipyard buildings remain. These buildings serve as a reminder of the Bauhafen Teltowwerft’s significant role in Berlin’s industrial and maritime history.