Isn’t it mesmerizing how water connects stories? The Pohlesee is one such place. It whispers tales of wealthy visionaries and grand designs.
Welcome to the Pohlesee. This lake is more than just a body of water. It reflects the ambition and artistry of a bygone era.
Back in 1863, a banker named Wilhelm Conrad had a vision. He dreamed of creating a villa colony by the Wannsee. Conrad purchased land next to the Wannsee bridge. He divided it and sold individual plots. In 1870, he replaced an old inn with his Villa Alsen.
Conrad’s brother-in-law, Louis von Colomier, played a role too. He fought in the German-Danish War of 1864. In 1872, the entire villa colony was named Alsen. This act of patriotism honored Colomier’s participation in the capture of the island of Alsen. Many summer residences of Berlin’s upper class once stood here. Today, sadly, many are gone.
The name “Kleiner Wannsee” wasn’t historical. It was a whim of the banker. He didn’t want to live by a “Stolpschen Loch”. So, he renamed the body of water. This gave the new colony some of the Wannsee’s prestige.
The Kleiner Wannsee connects to the Stölpchensee and the Pohlesee. This connection is via the Griebnitz Canal. A walk around here reveals much. You might see the Kleist grave or many rowing clubs. The Siemens Villa and other grand estates also dot the landscape. Privacy was key then, as it is now. Access to the water remains restricted for most.
The Alsen colony even had its own waterworks. An electricity plant followed in 1890. Conrad’s influence was far-reaching. He pushed for a railway line. It became known as the “Wahnsinnsbahn auf Conrädern”. Some called it the “Bankierszüge”.
Imagine wealthy Berliners arriving on this “Wahnsinnsbahn”. They came to escape the city. They sought refuge in their lakeside villas. The Pohlesee was at the heart of this exclusive retreat.
The Pohlesee remains a picturesque spot. Its shores tell a story of ambition, patriotism, and the desire for tranquility. As you gaze across its waters, consider the layers of history that lie beneath. The Pohlesee is a reminder of a time when dreams took shape on these very shores.