Older than Berlin itself and just outside of the bustling city center, Spandau holds a more subdued vibe. There are however many attractive and historical areas in Spandau which are well worth visiting. These include: an authentic old town, a section of the Berlin Wall running through the western part of the beautiful Gutspark at Groß Glienicker Lake, ancient trees and an old stone tower ruin. A bit more undiscovered than other parts of Berlin, the northwestern neighborhood holds quieter intrigues like the Vietnamese Linh-Thuu Pagoda. The Buddhist temple is not only vibrant and colorful, as is often the great pull of a Buddhist temple, but it also holds the world’s largest jade Buddha sculpture. With Charlottenburg and Grunewald as its neighbours, Spandau is also close to other great Berlin sites like the Charlottenburg Castle, the Olympic Stadium and Teufelsberg.
Due to its amazing natural landscape, Spandau is a day-trip must in the summer for tourists and other Berlin-residents alike. Spandau is sandwiched between Spandauer Forest and Kings Forest, which are huge green spaces, and the city itself is surrounded by the Havel and Spree Rivers. Berlin has some of the best lakes and rivers for swimming, and Spandau is a favourite for boaters and swimmers.
Built in the 16th century, the Spandau Citadel is an amazing former fortress that sits on an island in the Havel and the Spree, complete with a drawbridge and a castellated watch tower for that iconic old world aesthetic. Not only is the Citadel a beautiful piece of historical and romantic architecture, the fortress is home to events, concerts and festivals throughout the year, perfectly combining Germany’s past and present.
History and sociology enthusiasts won’t want to miss a trip to St. Nikolai church. A site for Lutheran sermons in the 16th century, the church is part of the great historical shift in the world caused by the Protestant Reformation. Contemporary sociologists generally look at the Protestant Reformation as the catalyst for the change in social systems from small communities to full political nation-states. The church was built in the 15th century in Gothic style, and due to its past as a Lutheran church, it serves as a stunning window into Germany and contemporary society’s rich history.
