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When Spandau was settled by Slavic farmers around 600 AD, Berlin was still native forest. By 900 it had become a fortified wooden settlement, which was discovered during excavations to the south of the old town in the 1970s.

Spandau was then called “Spandowe” and received its town charter in 1232. In the 16th century, it took Luther’s side and became Protestant. A little later, work began on the mighty citadel to protect the royal city of Berlin-Cölln.

In the centuries that followed, the Prussians expanded Spandau into a fortress and garrison town with barracks, gunpowder and gun factories and extensive fortifications. Plenty of other artefacts from this period can be discovered and explored in Spandau.

Batardeau

Breite Str. 71a, 13597 Berlin

  • Built between 1842 and 1845
  • Dyke to regulate the water between the moat and the mill race

Burgwallschanze

Ruhlebener Straße 205, 13597 Berlin

  • Built between 1855 and 1862 as part of the Stresow fortifications
  • More information about the Burgwallschanze

Citadel

Am Juliusturm 64, 13599 Berlin

  • Best-preserved Renaissance fortress in Europe
  • More information about Zitadelle

Fort Hahneberg

Hahnebergweg 50, 13591 Berlin

  • Completed in 1888 as the last fortress in Germany
  • More information about Fort Hahneberg

Teltower Schanze

Teltower Schanze, 13597 Berlin

  • Part of the Stresow fortifications (barely preserved)
  • Built between 1855 and 1866