Remember the year 1951. The Hafen Treptow witnessed a tragedy. It was the worst accident in Berlin’s passenger shipping history.
Welcome to Hafen Treptow. This inland port sits on the Spree River’s south bank. It is in Berlin’s Alt-Treptow district. The Hafen Treptow is more than just a port. It is a place filled with stories.
Let’s dive into the Hafen Treptow’s past. It was expanded in 1954. Back then, it was called Wasserbahnhof Treptow. This name lasted until about 1960. The port served as the home base for the Weiße Flotte Berlin. These were the White Fleet Berlin ships. Excursion trips started here. They went up the Spree River. Destinations included southeastern East Berlin and beyond.
After Berlin’s reunification in 1990, trips down the Spree towards Berlin’s city center began. The Weiße Flotte was once part of the Kombinat Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe in East Germany. In 1992, it merged with West Berlin’s Stern und Kreisschiffahrt. Today, this shipping company is based at Hafen Treptow.
Now, let’s talk about the tragic event. On July 5, 1951, disaster struck. The motor ship Heimatland caught fire. A technical defect caused it. The ship was full of passengers. 127 children and their caretakers died in the flames. It was a dark day for Berlin’s shipping community.
Today, Hafen Treptow serves as a berth for the Stern und Kreisschiffahrt GmbH. The company also has its headquarters here. The Hafen Treptow is near the Treptower Park S-Bahn station. A wide promenade runs along the bank. It features park benches and snack stands. Treptower Park extends behind it. It is full of old trees and gardens. The Soviet Memorial and Archenhold Observatory are nearby.
Visitors can look across the Spree. They can see the Stralau peninsula and the Elsenbrücke. This bridge connects Treptow and Friedrichshain. The Molecule Man sculpture rises beyond the bridge. It stands 30 meters tall in the water.
Boats and excursion ships depart from the Hafen Treptow. They travel towards the city center and Müggelsee lake. If you are driving, use Puschkinallee 15 as your destination. A few parking spots are available at the pier. The Park Center Treptow offers more parking.
Hafen Treptow is also a great place to relax. Cafés and restaurants line the Spree. They offer views of the harbor and water. In summer, you can see excursion boats and water taxis. They carry passengers along the Spree.
The Stern und Kreis Schifffahrt departs every two hours. They pass locations such as the Haus Zenner. You will see its beautiful beer garden. Also, you will pass the Osthafen or the East-Side-Gallery. You can get off at any stop to explore. Or you can stay on board and enjoy the 90-minute tour.
From Hafen Treptow, you can take a five-hour boat tour. It goes around the Müggelberge. Another option is a three-hour Spree River trip to Müggelsee. Hafen Treptow offers a blend of history, leisure, and beautiful scenery. It is a starting point for many adventures.