Kolkviertel
A charming little corner of Spandau’s historic town centre
Narrow streets, a section of the old town wall and a mediaeval well – Kolkviertel shows the romantic side of Spandau. Take a stroll into Spandau’s earliest history!
The Behnitz, colloquially known as Kolk, is the oldest settlement area in Spandau's historic centre, with the first written records dating back to the 13th century.
The history
When you enter the neighbourhood via Hoher Steinweg, you walk along the last section of Spandau's city wall that has been preserved in its original six-metre-high form. The houses opposite date from the 18th and 19th centuries, and the façade of House 5 still features two stone statues of rulers from the Hohenzollern era. Most of the half-timbered houses in the Kolk alley have been lovingly restored. In between is the Alte Kolkschänke, now a dilapidated little building - but with a special significance: for a whole century, this was the neighbourhood pub where the soldiers stationed at the citadel used to go. The pub only closed a few years ago.
The small St Mary's Church at the end of Kolk-Gasse is Berlin's second oldest Catholic church, built after the Reformation. It stands on ground steeped in history: Excavations on its north wall not only unearthed a well from the 14th century , but also traces of settlements from the Stone Age.
The old town of Spandau is easy to explore with the free audio guide. Information about the audio guide is available on site at the tourist information centre.