Dorf Lankwitz Stone

Gazing at the Dorf Lankwitz Stone, one can’t help but feel a connection to the past. This unassuming memorial marks the location of the original village of Lankwitz. It’s a symbolic heart of what was once a small, Slavic settlement known as Lancovica, first mentioned in 1239. Dorf Lankwitz, as it became known, was a simple, horseshoe-shaped village nestled along the Lankegraben stream. The name “Lankwitz” itself means “place on the river meadow,” a testament to its close relationship with the Lanke. The Lanke still exists today, although now channeled or incorporated into the Teltowkanal. The Dorf Lankwitz Stone is more than just a marker. It represents the very essence of this historic village. In 1239, the land of Dorf Lankwitz was gifted to the Benedictine nuns of St. Marien in Spandau. This marked a significant turning point, ushering in a period of growth and transformation. The original Slavic settlement evolved, becoming a German farming village, meticulously measured and divided into “hufen,” or farming plots. By 1265, Dorf Lankwitz boasted a church and a Schulze, or village leader, alongside its original Slavic features, evident in the five Kossäten, or cottagers’ plots. The Dorf Lankwitz Stone stands as a silent witness to centuries of change. It saw the village transition from a small rural community to a thriving part of Berlin in 1920. It endured the devastation of World War II, when Lankwitz was nearly destroyed. Yet, through it all, the spirit of Dorf Lankwitz persevered, symbolized by this simple stone. Today, the Lanke spring is marked near the Ratswaage, and the old village core is still identifiable in the northeast part of Lankwitz, centered around the Dorfkirche Lankwitz. As you stand before the Dorf Lankwitz Stone, take a moment to appreciate the layers of history etched into this seemingly simple marker. It’s a tribute to the resilience of a community and a tangible connection to the village’s humble beginnings.