Was this a swimming hole once? Look at Ziegelteich now. This peaceful pond in Hamburg-Stellingen is a far cry from its industrial past. Ziegelteich wasn’t always a tranquil spot. Its history is rooted in brick.
Around 1880 master bricklayer Friedrich Kallmorgen established a brickyard here. The Ziegelteich literally translates to Brick Pond. It’s the leftover scar from a clay pit. This pit was once a staggering 37 meters deep. Imagine the scale of that excavation. The brickyard thrived until World War I when it was abandoned. The enormous pit filled with water becoming Ziegelteich.
For decades Ziegelteich was a popular swimming spot for locals. However the water quality deteriorated. By the 1980s pollution concerns led to the pond being fenced off. Swimming was prohibited. The pond now features a barrier separating a forebay from the main body of water.
Two streams feed into Ziegelteich. One is the Ziegelgraben originating near Frühlingsstraße. The other the Hexengraben or Witches Ditch is completely piped and built over. It begins west of Kieler Straße. The street Am Ziegelteich is aptly named after this unique pond.
Today Ziegelteich remains a quiet pocket of nature. Its past as a bustling brickyard and a swimming hole is a poignant reminder of Hamburg’s industrial heritage. It’s a testament to how even industrial landscapes can transform into peaceful oases. The deep stillness of Ziegelteich now speaks of its transformation. Enjoy the serenity of this historical spot.