Have you ever heard of a village built on an island? Welcome to Dorfkern Schmökwitz. This charming village in Berlin’s Treptow-Köpenick district boasts a history as rich and layered as the waters surrounding it.
Originally a Slavic settlement around the 7th century Dorfkern Schmökwitz was a small island. The Slavs built a circular village. It was perfectly suited for fishermen. Their lives were closely tied to the water. The name itself comes from the Slavic language. It may mean “Dragon Brook” or “Snake Brook”. This refers to the winding waterways surrounding the island.
In 1375 Dorfkern Schmökwitz got its first official mention. This was in the land register of Emperor Charles IV. It was then called Smewitz or Smekewitz. The register lists 15 fishermen’s houses. There were also beekeepers. Evidence of a village elder suggests German settlement around 1230. This elder likely supplied fish and honey to Köpenick Castle. The village even had an inn.
For centuries Dorfkern Schmökwitz remained a small fishing village. The Thirty Years’ War brought devastation. A large fire destroyed much of the village in 1648. It remained an island until 1751. The current village church was built in 1798/1799. It replaced a wooden predecessor.
Things changed. Around 1858 farming and crafts became important. The beginnings of industry arrived around 1860 with a glue factory and cotton mill. The settlement of Rauchfangswerder started in 1743. Karolinenhof was founded in 1785. Banker Albert Schappach created a villa colony there in 1895.
Transport links improved. The Schmökwitz-Grünau waterfront railway was built between 1911 and 1912. This is now tram line 68. The electric S-Bahn improved access in 1928. It connected the city center to Grünau station. The nearby Eichwalde station in Brandenburg got an electric S-Bahn connection in 1951.
In 1920 Dorfkern Schmökwitz became part of Greater Berlin. A new settlement emerged near Eichwalde in 1919. This provided land for returning soldiers of World War I. The Berlin tire factory was built in 1942. This involved removing parts of the forest’s dunes. Only a few remnants remain today.
A tragic event left its mark. In 1961 ten members of the Young Congregation Berlin-Schmökwitz were arrested. Their “joke” was to ask the captain to sail to Bornholm. Eight received prison sentences. Two received eight-year sentences. A memorial plaque commemorates this in front of the village church.
Today Dorfkern Schmökwitz is a popular recreation area. It offers a unique blend of history nature and tranquility. It is a captivating place to explore. It’s a testament to the enduring charm of a village that has weathered the storms of time. Enjoy the peaceful beauty of Dorfkern Schmökwitz.