Neu-Venedig

Neu-Venedig – © Andreas Steinhoff / Wikimedia

Canals, lagoons, magnificent views. The boat glides silently across the water. Tourists stand on Rialto bridge and wave. And a bit further on, customers at a café sit on the lawn and enjoy the sunshine. Venice may be more than 1,000 kilometres away, but here in Berlin's south-east it is just as beautiful.
Originally, there was just marshland between Rahnsdorf and Hessenwinkel. In the 1920s and 1930s, the meadows around the River Spree were drained by canals. Gradually, a residential area with water sports facilities and gardens was created with almost as many arbours as permanent homes. During the time of communist East Germany, many members of the East German government had a cottage here. And these waterfront properties are still highly sought-after today – as the five canals and twelve bridges between the Dämeritzsee and Müggelsee lakes create a wonderful ambience.