Twelve ponds. That’s the heart of the Hönower Weiherkette. This beautiful chain of ponds stretches across the Berlin district of Marzahn-Hellersdorf. It’s a protected landscape a true oasis in the city.
Imagine this place in the 19th century. Maps then called it “Die kühlen Gründe” the cool grounds. This perfectly describes its unique microclimate. The cool air lingers around the water. It’s a refreshing contrast to the urban heat. The area was once also known as Well-Pfuhle. The names evoke a sense of history. They paint a picture of this place’s evolution.
The Hönower Weiherkette is more than just pretty ponds. It’s a vital habitat. Rare animals live here. The critically endangered red-bellied toad makes its home amongst the reeds. So does the equally endangered crested newt. The threatened marsh warbler sings its song in the nearby vegetation. Each pond plays a different role in this complex ecosystem.
The Fischteich the fish pond is the westernmost. It’s idyllic and biosphere-like. Thick bushes and reed beds surround it. The western part has silted up considerably since the 2000s. The Beerenpfuhl the berry pond is harder to reach. Dense undergrowth and reeds keep much of it hidden. A small canal connects it to the Fischteich. A bridge on the hiking trail crosses this canal. Its southern shore reaches the Zerbster Straße.
Then there’s the Weihenpfuhl. This is considered the most beautiful pond. It has abundant water plants reeds and various types of shrubs. Aerial photographs from around 2008 show it so overgrown that the shoreline is hardly visible. In 2022 the Hönower Weiherkette was in the news. A massive tree-felling operation removed 1350 large trees. A citizen’s initiative the Schutzgemeinschaft Hönower Weiherkette strongly criticized this action. They argued it was too drastic for a protected landscape.
But there’s hope. In spring 2024 students planted over 5250 young trees and shrubs. They planted them west of Louis-Lewin-Straße. In May 2024 a nature trail opened. It features educational panels and a wayfinding system. The Hönower Weiherkette is not just a picturesque spot. It’s a place of ongoing conservation efforts. It’s a living testament to the delicate balance between urban development and nature conservation. The future of this unique ecosystem is still being written. We’re all part of that story. As you stroll along its paths let the Hönower Weiherkette’s serenity soothe your soul. Remember its history and the work being done to protect this precious landscape.