Köpenicker Werder

Deep within Berlin, the Kopenicker Werder whispers tales of time. The Kopenicker Werder isn’t just a peninsula. It’s a journey into Berlin’s past. Located in the Müggelheim district, Kopenicker Werder is cradled by the Seddinsee and Großer Krampe to the south. The historical fields of Müggelheim and the Krumme Lake mark its western border. To the north, the Spree River flows near Rahnsdorf, while the Gosener Graben, stretching from Dämeritzsee to Seddinsee, defines its eastern edge. The name “Kopenicker Werder” itself echoes history. It reflects its ties to the former town and castle of Köpenick. “Werder” is an old term for a river island, a fitting description for this almost-island. For centuries, Kopenicker Werder belonged to Köpenick. During the Middle Ages, this forested area remained largely uninhabited. Only a few huts, known as Phillips Hütten, dotted its northern edge, shelters for the Rahnsdorf fishermen. The heart of Kopenicker Werder beats at its highest point, the Seddinberg, reaching 62 meters. But even this peak bears the marks of time. In the 1890s, sand extraction began here, reshaping the landscape. The Kopenicker Werder has a silent guardian: the forester who resided at Forsthaus Fahlenberg, even before 1800. This historic forester’s lodge still stands, marking the path from Müggelheim to Gosen along the Gosener Graben. In the 1920s, the Gosener Kanal was carved along the eastern edge of the Kopenicker Werder, further altering its contours. A bridge, the Neue Fahlenbergbrücke, arose over the canal in 1934, near the Forsthaus. Since 1915, a Dauerwaldvertrag, a perpetual forest contract, has protected almost the entirety of Kopenicker Werder, preserving its wild beauty. The Kopenicker Werder is more than a peninsula. It is a living tapestry woven with the threads of Berlin’s history.