Imagine this: golden sand between your toes, the sun kissing your skin. Welcome to Strandbad Plötzensee. For over 100 years, this bathing beach has offered summer fun in the heart of Berlin. But its story stretches back even further.
The Plötzensee is Berlin’s oldest managed bathing lake. It all began in 1845. The city established a small public bath with a sandy beach. A bath master was even on duty. The Plötzensee was outside of the city back then. It took real dedication to reach it.
In 1850, the Prussian Army took over. They created a military bath on the opposite shore. The army already used the nearby Rehberge hills for training. In 1906, the infamous Captain of Köpenick even started his charade near the military bath. He gathered soldiers before his audacious march to Köpenick’s town hall.
The late 19th century brought more recreational options to the Plötzensee. An ice factory operated near today’s Strandbad Plötzensee. It harvested ice from the lake. Nearby, the Moabiter Schützengilde built a shooting range. It included a dance hall and bowling alleys. It became a popular spot for people seeking relaxation.
Wellenbäder or wave pools arrived in 1877. Wilhelm Auerbach opened the first one. His wave pool featured a paddle wheel to generate waves. Bathers enjoyed separate areas for men and women plus a diving tower. In 1906, Heinrich Schwien designed impressive changing rooms built over the water. A gas-powered paddle wheel created strong waves. The pool even had a 50-meter racing lane.
The modern Strandbad Plötzensee began in 1922. The Wedding district collaborated with swimming clubs. They formed Wassersportplatz Plötzensee. By 1928, the shoreline promenade and the Strandbad Plötzensee were complete. This was alongside the Volkspark Rehberge. Rudolf Germer designed the grounds. Johannes and Walter Krüger designed the buildings in the New Objectivity style.
Workers created a sandy beach. They built a U-shaped retaining wall around it. A grand granite staircase led to the original shore level. Red brick buildings housed facilities and restaurants. The press praised the new “watersports facility” in 1929. They noted its tasteful design and beautiful setting.
Even during construction, crowds flocked to the Strandbad Plötzensee. In the late 1920s, up to 40,000 people visited daily. In 1926, the Wedding district counted 860,000 visitors. Until the 1940s, a 100-meter swimming lane stretched out into the lake. A ten-meter diving tower offered stunning views.
After World War II, renovations brought changes. The 100-meter lane became a 50-meter lane. A smaller five-meter diving tower replaced the original. The entrance shifted. A large lawn replaced the former ice factory. Today, the Strandbad Plötzensee covers over 62,000 square meters.
The Strandbad Plötzensee offers much more. You can find a sandy beach and spacious sunbathing areas. There are also playgrounds. Enjoy beach volleyball, basketball, or minigolf. You can even rent swimming equipment. There is also a FKK area.
The Strandbad Plötzensee has seen famous faces and events. The Open Water Festival took place here in 1984. Bands like Die Ärzte performed. Wolfgang Herrndorf wrote about his visits to the Strandbad Plötzensee in his book “Work and Structure”.
Soak in the sun, breathe the fresh air, and appreciate the history. Strandbad Plötzensee: a Berlin treasure.