Hermsdorfer See

Gazing across Hermsdorfer See, can you envision its past life as a medieval millpond? Hermsdorfer See, a serene expanse of water in Berlin’s Reinickendorf borough, holds centuries of stories within its shimmering depths. Originally created by damming a mill in Hermsdorf’s old village center, the lake was more than just a picturesque view. It was a lifeline for the community. Locals depended on Hermsdorfer See for fish, reeds, and grazing land for their livestock. This valuable resource sparked a feud between Hermsdorf and neighboring Lübars. Both villages claimed ownership, citing a letter of enfeoffment. The dispute continued until 1622, when a settlement granted ownership to Hermsdorf’s lord of the manor, Sigismund von Goetze. However, the conflict didn’t truly end. Lübars’ fishermen continued fishing in Hermsdorfer See, leading to ongoing complaints and clashes. Peace finally settled in the late 18th century when the lake was divided. By then, Hermsdorfer See included two islands, Großer Werder and Kleiner Werder, now lost to time and the lake’s changing landscape. Over the years, the lake has undergone transformations. Drainage projects altered the moor’s ecosystem, releasing nutrients into the soil and allowing shrubs to encroach upon the center, forming a carr between the 1950s and 2000. The Hermsdorfer See we see today was largely reshaped in the early 1950s. Excavations of the lowlands along the Tegeler Fließ, a tributary of the Spree River, created the elongated 5.6-hectare lake we admire. Three additional ditches and a rainwater drainage pipe feed into Hermsdorfer See. Natural processes and sediment deposits have contributed to significant silting. Further dredging is planned to preserve this vital part of Berlin’s natural heritage.