Schönow

A hidden gem whispers tales of transformation. This is Schönow, a neighborhood nestled in Berlin’s Zehlendorf and Lichterfelde districts. Schönow, first documented in 1299 as “Schonow,” has witnessed centuries of change. It evolved from a humble village on the shores of a vanished lake to an industrial hub along the Teltow Canal. Originally, Schönow was an Angerdorf, a village centered around a common green. The name itself, derived from the Middle Low German words “schön(e)” (beautiful) and “ouw(e), ow(e), ou” (land surrounded by water), speaks to its lush, water-rich origins. The Teltow Canal, constructed between 1901 and 1906, dramatically altered Schönow’s landscape. The old village scene has all but disappeared. Only the quiet dead-end street, Alt-Schönow, hints at the location of the original village green. The canal’s construction also led to industrial development. The Teltow shipyard and the Schönow power plant became prominent landmarks. Another key part of Schönow’s history is the Spinnstofffabrik Zehlendorf (spinning mill), colloquially known as the “Spinne” (spider). During World War II, this factory, which produced parachute silk, employed forced laborers, including Jewish youth and prisoners from the Sachsenhausen concentration camp’s Lichterfelde subcamp. Schönow also housed the Schweizerhof, a mental institution founded in 1853 by Bernhard Heinrich Laehr. Its vast acreage and gardens have since become three parks: Schönower Park, Heinrich-Laehr-Park, and Schweizerhofpark. While the original manor house of the Schönow estate was demolished in the 1960s, traces of Schönow’s rich history remain. The church of Schönow, with its striking tent-like roof and freestanding bell tower, is a protected landmark. The Karl Schuke Berliner Orgelbauwerkstatt (organ workshop), established in a former farmhouse, showcases a different kind of craftsmanship. Even the vanished Schönower See has left its mark. The canal now follows the southern shore of the former lake, and allotment gardens occupy its old basin. Schönow stands as a testament to resilience. It is a place where the whispers of the past mingle with the hum of industry.