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Disclaimer: Entering lost places can be dangerous. This article is not a recommendation for action but has a purely informative character. No liability is assumed..

Once upon a time... Glory and splendor at the Haidemühl glassworks

The first glassworks in Haidemühl was built in 1835 by the glass manufacturer Greiner. Here hollow glasses, lampshades, and perfume glasses were produced. Several changes of owners followed, bankruptcy, reconstruction, cessation of operations due to the war, and finally modernization in the 1960s. At that time, the Haidemühl glassworks was considered one of the most modern plants in the GDR. Around 1280 people had their jobs here. Only here were the 0.5-liter milk bottles produced from 1971 on, which were on almost every breakfast table at that time. They were even exported to the West. Around 345,000 bottles are said to have rolled off the production line here every day.

After reunification, the Treuhand took over the plant and sold it to an investor from the West. However, nothing was invested here. On the contrary, the machines were sold and production was stopped shortly after, in 1992. The fate of the glassworks was not an isolated case at that time. Many companies in the former GDR suffered a similar fate. And many of them did not clean up their act, leaving contaminated sites and waste in place. Environmental scandals were often only uncovered many years later.

Birch Trees and Tons of Potassium Carbonate

I continue walking and come to a large hall. The birch trees have already taken root here. They are not choosy, they grow as pioneer plants almost everywhere. Under the leaky roof of the hall, countless bags of potassium carbonate from Taiwan (Taiwan Pulp & Paper Co.) and South Korea (Korea Potassium Chemical Co. Ltd.) are piled up. Each container holds 1,000 kilograms. Many have burst open over time and the powder is spread across the floor of the hall. Where the hall roof has collapsed, moss is growing on the white powder. Next to it lie holey bags full of broken glass. No, the birch trees are really not picky.

On the walls of the warehouse, a few colorful graffiti bring color and cheerfulness to the gray drabness of the glassworks. I hope the sprayers didn't inhale any powder dust. Because potassium carbonate can cause severe irritation of the respiratory tract. The eyes are also attacked by the corrosive dust. The safety data sheets advise wearing gloves and a respiratory mask when working with potassium carbonate.

Potassium carbonate - use and effect

Potassium carbonate is also known as potash. As a leavening agent, it is a traditional ingredient, especially for Christmas cookies. Here at the Haidemühl glassworks, it was used as a flux in glass production. With the help of the flux, the melting temperatures of burnt lime (2500 °C) and quartz sand (1700 - 2000 °C) are reduced to around 1450 °C, the normal operating temperature in the glass furnace, thus saving energy.

Potassium carbonate can be corrosive in contact with the skin. Safety data sheets warn of severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation in humans. The same probably applies to the mucous membranes of animals that venture too close.

The powder should be stored in tightly closed containers in a dry place. It must be prevented from entering the sewage system, surface and groundwater, and soil. Potassium carbonate is very soluble in water. The solution reacts alkaline by forming hydroxide ions. No ecotoxicological effects are known from potassium carbonate itself. Biological effects are mainly caused by the increase in the pH value in the water. This is because pH is a very important regulator of chemical and biological processes. Strongly acidic and alkaline conditions can have toxic effects on organisms. For example, an excessively high pH value can convert ammonium present in the water into ammonia, which is toxic to fish.

Nothing is happening

UPDATE, Nov. 2023: The site has now been fenced off and the steel containers in the entrance area have been removed.

But why are the contaminated sites at the Haidemühl glassworks still gathering dust after 30 years?  

A year after the Haidemühl glassworks ceased operations, it was decided that the factory site and the surrounding settlement should make way for open-cast lignite mining. The inhabitants of the settlement were relocated long ago. LEAG, which operates the Welzow-Süd open-pit lignite mine and also wants to mine lignite here, has not yet been able to complete the purchase. Depending on the source, the reason is unclear ownership or different ideas about the purchase price.

For the municipality of Welzow, the property has long been an abomination. In response to my inquiry, the mayor assured me that the municipality "has been doing everything in its power for years to eliminate these desolate conditions, which are difficult to accept. We are in constant exchange with all parties involved. The mining company is struggling to find a solution that will hopefully lead to a proper and professional disposal of the contaminated sites in the next few years."   

Between the halls, the trees have already reached a stately size after 30 years. It doesn't seem to bother them that their roots have to find their way between broken glass. The glass bottles still glow after 30 years when the sun shines on them. Most of them are green. Only now and then do I see transparent glass bottles. Moss grows inside them, slowly but surely turning them green.

Book Recommendations for Lost Places and abandoned Places in Berlin and worldwide

You want to discover more Lost Places? Then I have three book recommendations for you. You can order the books with a click on the pictures at Amazon. If you buy a book or another article via an affiliate link, I get a small commission and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you.

Do you have any comments or suggestions about my article? If yes, then write me a comment!

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Recommendations for further Reading

Do you love abandoned places as much as I do? Then take a look at my two articles below:

Chernobyl - Photography against Oblivion

Deception Island - Lost Place in Antarctica

Der Beitrag Lost Place Glashütte Haidemühl: Birken, Glas und Kaliumcarbonat erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

Georgia. During the Soviet times, many impressive buildings were built in the former Soviet Union. Especially the bizarre, futuristic-looking buildings in the style of Soviet Modernism and Brutalism attract attention. And if you look closely, you can even discover large-scale mosaics or reliefs on some of the buildings. Also in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, unique icons of Soviet architecture and Brutalism were created during this time.

Non-solicited, unpaid advertising. This article contains affiliate links*, marked with an asterisk.

If you are interested in Soviet architecture, you will love Tbilisi!

We took a guided tour of Tbilisi's Soviet architecture and Brutalism with expert Nini Palavandishvili. This was comfortably by car through the city center as well as to the outskirts of Tbilisi. If you have a little more time, it is also possible to visit the buildings by public transport.

Other worthwhile day trips from Tbilisi include a visit to the Vardsia Cave Monastery*or a tour of the legendary Cable Cars of Chiatura*.

Yesterday's Visions of the Future: Soviet Architecture in Tbilisi

When one hears the term "Soviet architecture", one has in mind either the monumental buildings in the Zuckerbäcker style or the futuristic buildings of Soviet Modernism. Both architectural styles are very different. Here is a brief overview:

Soviet Realism (Classicism) 1950-55

In Stalin's time, architecture was not only a question of functionality and aesthetics, but rather a question of attitude. The general happiness promised by the communist worldview included people living in magnificent palaces. Urban planning was subject to certain rules and development plans, and architects planned according to strict specifications. Public buildings in particular were supposed to impress with their architecture and were seen as signposts to the future. Soviet Realism is also often called Zuckerbäckerstil "wedding cake style". This is because the often monumental buildings with their lavish decorations quickly make one think of the form and decoration of wedding cakes. The death of Stalin was also the end of this architectural style.

By the way, you can also see beautiful examples of the Zuckerbäckerstil during a walk along Karl-Marx-Allee (formerly Stalinallee) in Berlin .

Soviet Modernism from 1955 to 1991 and Brutalism

While Soviet Realism can still be seen as a signpost to the future, Soviet Modernism has arrived in the future. The buildings seem futuristic, stand out and somehow fall out of concept.

Soviet Modernism and Brutalism, unlike Soviet Realism, seem to dispense with any guidelines. Each building is different and unique. Sometimes the beauty of the buildings is only apparent at second glance, often they are scorned as an ugly legacy from the Soviet era. But those who take a closer look are quickly taken in by the architecture, which seems to follow no rules whatsoever. Unfortunately, many of these buildings were abandoned after the collapse of the Soviet Union, fell into disrepair and were demolished.

The roots of Soviet Modernism were laid by the French architect Le Corbusier. Particularly impressive are the buildings created in the late Soviet phase from the 1960s to the beginning of the 1980s. They are classified as "Soviet Brutalism". The term brutalism does not stand for brutality but for "béton brut". This is French and means "raw concrete" in German. This architectural style was significantly influenced by the architect Le Corbusier. Characteristic features are simple geometric shapes, emphasis on the construction itself and the use of exposed concrete.

In the buildings in the style of Soviet Modernism, instead of the raw concrete also often used cladding materials, such as marble, sandstone, shell limestone or cheaper substitute material.

Mosaics and reliefs of the Soviet period

As early as the 1930s, art was used to spread communist propaganda. Numerous large-scale mosaics were created, decorating the facades of buildings or even bus stops. They depicted scenes from the world of work, science, technology, as well as family and sports. In the Soviet republics further away from Moscow, national and folkloric motifs were also mixed in.

The commissions for the mosaics were given centrally to mosaic workshops. As a result, the artists who created the mosaics are often not even known. Only since the last years a systematic documentation of the still existing mosaics takes place. Just like many buildings of Soviet architecture and Brutalism, many of the works of art in Tbilisi are unfortunately already lost, dilapidated or built over.

Bank of Georgia (former Ministry of Road Construction)

The former Ministry of Road Construction is a timeless appearance of floating blocks stacked on top of each other à la Tetris. It is one of the most important buildings of Soviet architecture in Tbilisi and even in all of Georgia. Even today, the building is a real eye-catcher.

When planning the building, the architects followed the concept of the "space city", which is patented in Georgia. The idea is to use less floor space by building a house on columns. Nature should be less affected and light open spaces should be created, as between the tree trunk (the supports of the house) and the tree crown (the building's beams). In the end, everything should benefit the psychological well-being of the residents.

Since 2006, the building has belonged to the Bank of Georgia, which has used it as its headquarters since 2010. In 2007, the complex was listed as a National Monument.

Architects: Giorgi Chakhava, Zurab Jalagonia
Completion date: 1975
Address: 29a Iuri Gagarini St, Tbilisi, Gruzja

Tbilisi Skybridge

The skyscrapers on the outskirts of Tbilisi were among the most impressive pieces of Soviet architecture we visited. These three tall apartment buildings were built on the slopes in Nutsubidze Street. All three are connected by a skybridge. You can reach the bridge by taking the elevator to the 14th floor in the first block. For this you need a 20 Tetri coin, which you put into a slot machine in the elevator. I would not recommend the staircase, because it is mostly locked at the top. From the elevator you can walk over the bridge through the buildings. You will pass a small bench and a tiny store on the 14th floor. From the skybridge you also have a great view of the surrounding living quarters. At the end of the bridge you come out at the top of the slope on the street.

Architect: Otar Kalandarishvili, Gizo Potskhishvili
Construction period: 1974-1976
Address: Shalva Nutsubidze St, Tbilisi, Gruzja

You are planning a road trip?

Travel Guide Book – Georgia – Caucasus*

This book by OunTravela invites you to explore the wildest corners of Georgia. Along 24 routes you will discover picturesque landscapes, rugged mountains, monasteries, fortresses, and centuries-old fortified towers. In addition to detailed descriptions of the 4x4 routes, you will find a wealth of additional information about the country and its people as well as tips for your planning. The latter range from suggestions for overnight campsites to rental companies of expedition-ready 4x4 vehicles and worthwhile photo spots. You can also purchase a map and GPS tracks for navigation.

Museum of Archaeology

The Museum of Archaeology is reminiscent of an Egyptian temple. It is perched on a hill right next to the Saint Nino Monument. Unfortunately, the museum has never been opened. Nevertheless, it houses an archaeological collection inside and is therefore locked and closely guarded.

Architects: Sh. Kavlashvili and Sh. Gwantseladze
Completion date: 1988
Address: 9, Motsikulta Stsori Nino St

Mosaic at Saburtalo Fire Station

The huge mosaic on the facade of the fire station focuses on a fireman. Around him, several well-known buildings of Tbilisi can be seen. Among them is the medieval Metekhi Church, the Circus, as well as the Sports Palace and the former Iveria Hotel in the style of Soviet Modernism. In addition, the mosaic depicts buildings with Persian and Byzantine architecture. This juxtaposition is intended to illustrate that in Tbilisi East and West meet.

Artist: Givi Kervalishvili
Completion date: 1979
Address: Gorgasali St 34, behind Ortachala Bus Station

Ortachala Central Bus Station

Between 1964 and 1973, a new central bus station was built in Ortachala. This was designed to handle around 18,500 passengers per day. In addition to the actual bus stops, the station also includes restaurants, cafes, stores and a hotel. The facades of the building are clad with natural stone and in large part also glazed. Next to the staircase, the mosaic "History of Transport" by Zurab Tsereteli is placed on the facade.

Architects: Ramaz Kiknadze, Vladimir Kurtishvili and Shota Kavlashvili
Artist: Zurab Tsereteli
Completion date: 1973
Address: Ortachala Bus Station

Book recommendations for architecture fans

Can't get enough of Soviet architecture and mosaics either? Then take a closer look at these three books*. You will love them.

Technical Library

Completed in 1986, the Technical Library is another prestigious object of Soviet Modernism and Brutalism in Tbilisi. The structure is an elongated bar surrounded by a dark concrete ring. The windows are framed by a seemingly endless repetition of fan-like concrete swords.

Architect: G. Bichiashvili
Completion date: 1986
Address: 47 Merab Kostava St

Laguna Vere Water and Sports Complex

The swimming complex with three pools, slide, a sports hall and a tribune for 5,500 spectators was completed in 1978. It hosted not only national but also international events. However, the complex became less and less profitable over time and finally closed in 2014. Today, the facility serves car dealers as a workshop and warehouse. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to enter the complex. However, we were able to sneak onto the grandstand from the back and look down on the now overgrown pool from above.

There is also a monumental mosaic preserved above the entrance area on the street. It is one of the longest mosaics in all of Georgia.

Architects and artists: Shota Kavlashvili, Guram Abuladze, Ramaz Kiknadze, Koka Ignatov
Completion date : 1978
Address: M. Kostava St 34

Mother Georgia

Twenty meters high "Mother Georgia" was erected to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of Tbilisi. In one hand she holds a bowl of wine with which she welcomes guests. But in the other hand she carries a sword with which she fights off enemies. The statue, originally made of wood and later covered with aluminum, was replaced by a new one in 1997.

Sculptor: Elguja Amashukeli
Completion date: 1958
Address: Sololaki St

Radio Computing Centre

The Radio Computing Centre belongs to the Radio Fortuna Holding. It was formerly also known as Transcaucasia Power Control Centre or Managing Computing Centre of the United Board of Energy System of Transcaucasia.

Architects:: S. Kavlashvili, G. Djanebirdze and S. Katsitadze
Completion date: 1973

Other Buildings

Unfortunately, our time in Tbilisi was very limited. But since I immediately took the city into my heart, I hope to return soon. Because there are many more impressive buildings of Soviet architecture and in the style of Brutalism waiting, such as the campus of the University of Tbilisi.

Book Recommendations for Georgia

Do you want to know where the journey is going? Then I can recommend this travel guides* to you.

You can order the travel guides on Amazon by clicking on the pictures. If you buy a product via an affiliate link, I get a small commission, and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you, and you will do me a huge favor.

Did you like the Soviet Architecture and Brutalism in Tbilisi? Do you have any questions about my article? If yes, then write me a comment!

Do you want to know when there are new articles on my blog? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Recommendations for further Reading

Do you love Soviet architecture and lost places as much as I do? Then you might also be interested in my articles about Eisenhüttenstadt or about the GDR Architecture in Berlin.

Der Beitrag Zukunftsvisionen von Gestern: Sowjetische Architektur in Tiflis erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

Georgia. For more than 60 years, the "hanging coffins" transported the inhabitants of the industrial city of Chiatura to windy heights. But since summer 2019, the legendary cable cars of Chiatura have been at a standstill. In the end, the gondolas were a bit too rusty and the technology too outdated. But the cable car stations from the 1950s and 60s are still there and are witnesses to the history and the former glory of the city. And usually one or the other gondola still hangs in the air very close to the stations.

Unassigned, unpaid advertising. The article contains affiliate links.

When we visited Chiatura in July 2021, we were overwhelmed by the impressions. However, we were also a bit disoriented. There are indeed numerous blog articles on the Internet with great photos when the cable cars of Chiatura were still in operation. But where the photos were taken remained unclear. To make your search for Tschiatura's treasures a little easier, I have therefore compiled my favorite photo motifs in a map. So you can explore the city on your own and know immediately what awaits you where.

But first, let's go back to a time when Chiatura still looked into a rosy future.

In this Article you will find

Short History of Chiatura and the Cable Cars
Cable Cars, Buildings, Pioneer Palace and more
What's next for Chiatura?
How to get to Chiatura
What is the best way to get around the City?
What else is there in the Area?
Book Recommendations for Georgia

Short History of Tschiatura and the Cable Cars

Tschiatura was founded at the end of the 19th century and before the First World War possessed the largest manganese ore deposit in the world. Manganese mining at that time amounted to 60% of the world production. Even during the Soviet era, the city remained an important center of manganese mining. Investments were made, including the construction of ropeways.

Chiatura is located in a deeply cut, long valley of the Kvirila River. The main means of transportation were cable cars with a total length of more than 6,000 meters. The first cableway was built in Chiatura in 1953. More lines followed in the 1950s and 1960s. In total, there were 70 ropeways for transporting people, materials and manganese ore. This made Chiatura the city with the most ropeways in the world. For a long time, the hand-operated gondolas were the only means of public transportation in the city.

The cable cars operated almost without interruption until the summer of 2019. But eventually, the last two remaining passenger cable cars stopped operating due to official orders. During our stay we could only see one cargo line for the transport of ore in operation.

Cable Cars, Buildings, Pioneer Palace and more

Map with Photo Motifs

In the following map I marked most of the motives I describe in this chapter with a camera pin. For each pin there is also a small photo. So you can orientate yourselves more easily. The map should be a little help for your own explorations. However, there is so much more to discover in Chiatura and I could have easily spent two or three days here.

Tip: In the free app Maps.me you can download an offline map of Georgia. The map shows the cable car stations and lines. So you can explore even more stations.

Monumental Welcome

We entered the city on the main road coming from the west. Shortly after the town entrance sign, Chiatura greets us with an overwhelming monument commemorating World War II. Next to it, several prefabricated buildings provide a great background.

In the City Center

We wind our way down the road into the Kvirila Valley. Soon we reach the center of town with a small market, numerous stores, and typical chaotic city traffic. After parking our Lada, we are off. We don't know exactly where to go and stroll through the city for the time being. Every few meters we discover something new that fascinates us. Soon we come to the first cable car station. Shortly before the station a red-yellow gondola is still hanging. Remnants of the advertising signage are still visible.

From the underpass under the railroad tracks we come to the bridge over the Kvirila. To the right and left are architectural gems such as City Hall and the Registry Office, as well as whimsical structures on the riverbank housing stores.

In the center of the city, the elongated row of stores on the main street is a real eye-catcher. We follow the main street to the traffic circle on Ninoshvili Street. Here we find a large mosaic on the facade of the school.

Back on the main road we go a little further uphill and come to a market. There is also an old cable car station here.

Highlight of Chiatura: the Stalin Ropeway and Peace Ropeway

From here we walk along the bank of the Kvirila back towards the car. Very close to our parking place one of the highlights of Chiatura is waiting for us: the station of the Peace Ropeway and the Stalin Ropeway. The station itself is meanwhile firmly closed, but also from the outside it is a great motive and one can peek in at several places. I quickly spotted the black and white graffiti on the wall. Unfortunately only a part of it is visible, but I recognize it from photos on the internet: it shows a kneeling miner with a shovel. On both lines there are still two gondolas hanging in the air.

From the station, the yellow gondolas of the Stalin Ropeway across the river to the opposite mountain. This line was the first cable car in the Soviet Union in 1953. Accordingly, the gondolas are now rusty and the windows are cloudy from dirt and scratches. One gondola could carry six passengers. In addition, a gondola lady rode in each gondola. Her job was to ensure safe operation and report any abnormalities in the gondola to the mechanic.

The Peace Line goes north from the station. It is the line with the blue gondolas and dates back to 1964. This line is also the steepest cable car in Chiatura with a 48 degree incline and is even one of the steepest in the world. In the small gondolas fit just 4 people. There are also no more windows, as in the Stalin cable car, but only small barred portholes.

Detour to the Pioneer Palace

South of the Kvirila River, high up on the slope, is the former Pioneer Palace. You can reach it either by cable car or by your own car. The palace still shows its former splendor. The wide entrance staircase is lined with a large semicircle of columns. Some of them have already collapsed. The entire building is badly dilapidated and it appears that it will collapse like a house of cards at the next slight breeze. I myself did not go inside. Cows are less fearful and use the empty building as a shelter.

Cargo Ropeway in Action

We leave the city along the river in the direction of Tbilisi. After a short ride we finally see one of Chiatura's cable cars in action. It is a freight line for transporting the mined ore. Several gondolas cross the track, which is covered with nets in places. The nets are a damn good idea, because there are actually several chunks of rock in them that have fallen out of the ore gondolas.

Not far behind the freight gondolas is another disused passenger ropeway. Here, too, a gondola hangs in the air just before the station. You will also find an adventurous narrow pedestrian bridge leading to an industrial building.

Photo Motifs at the Exit of Chiatura

At the town exit we see a large Tschiatura sign and a green stele with a wreath. To the right of the road there are tracks and behind a fence there is a railroad wagon. All four give each of them again great photo motifs to say goodbye.

You are planning a road trip?

Travel Guide Book – Georgia – Caucasus*

This book by OunTravela invites you to explore the wildest corners of Georgia. Along 24 routes you will discover picturesque landscapes, rugged mountains, monasteries, fortresses, and centuries-old fortified towers. In addition to detailed descriptions of the 4x4 routes, you will find a wealth of additional information about the country and its people as well as tips for your planning. The latter range from suggestions for overnight campsites to rental companies of expedition-ready 4x4 vehicles and worthwhile photo spots. You can also purchase a map and GPS tracks for navigation.

What's next for Chiatura?

The legendary "hanging coffins" of Chiatura are now hanging in the air. So is the town's application to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The rusty gondolas and Soviet-style cable car stations have long been the heartbeat of the city. So much of the city's history and individual stories are linked to the cable cars that, in my view, it would be unthinkable to abandon or even demolish the gondolas and stations. I wish so much for the city to be included in the industrial heritage list and would be happy if the shuttered sites were preserved and prepared for tourist visits. However, it is unclear whether this will succeed. After all, the new cable cars of Chiatura may be an obstacle for inclusion in the UNESCO list.

A little tourism would certainly do the city good. After all, the manganese reserves will not last forever. In about 15 years, the deposits in the area are expected to be exhausted. What will happen to the jobs and the inhabitants of the mining town then? The population has already shrunk by almost half since the early 1990s. The reason for this at the time was problems with electricity, water and gas supplies, as well as declining manganese mining. Today, around 13,000 people live in the city. How many of them then still see their future in a mining town without mining?

How to get to Chiatura

Chiatura is located about 60 kilometers from Kutaisi. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the city by rental car or marshrutka. From Tbilisi it takes about 2-3 hours.

The city can also be reached by train. There are also guided tours from Tbilisi at GetYourGuide.

What is the best way to get around the City?

The center and some of the cable car stations in the valley can be explored very well on foot. Since the old cable cars of Tschiatura are no longer running, it is not so easy to reach the upper stations.

A new, modern cable car with four stations is currently under construction. Everything looked ready in July 2021. However, none was in operation yet. Possibly, the launch, like many other things, has been delayed by Covid-19. The main station of the new cable car is located in the center next to the river and near the stores.

How do you transport your camera equipment when traveling?

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Click on the image to go to Amazon. If you buy a product through this affiliate link, I get a small commission and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting content. The product will not be more expensive for you and you do me a huge favor.

What else is there in the Area?

Only about 10 kilometers west of Chiatura is Kazchi Pillar. This is a freestanding rock about 40 meters high, on which there is a tiny monastery.

About halfway in the direction of Tbilisi is the town of Gori, where Stalin was born. The Stalin Museum was opened here in 1957 in his honor. Don't expect a detailed rehash of the atrocities the dictator committed during his reign here. It's more like a big cult palace, even souvenirs like coffee mugs, fridge magnets, baseball caps or backgammon games with Stalin's portrait are available here. was opened here in 1957 in his honor. Don't expect a detailed rehash of the atrocities the dictator committed during his reign here. It's more like a big cult palace, even souvenirs like coffee mugs, fridge magnets, baseball caps or backgammon games with Stalin's portrait are available here.

Book Recommendations for Georgia

Do you want to know where the journey is going? Then I can recommend this travel guides* to you.

You can order the travel guides on Amazon by clicking on the pictures. If you buy a product via an affiliate link, I get a small commission, and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you, and you will do me a huge favor.

Have you ever been to Chiatura and maybe even used one of the cable cars? How did you like it? Do you have any questions about my article? If yes, then write me a comment!

Do you want to know when there are new articles on my blog? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Recommendations for further Reading

Do you love Soviet architecture and lost places as much as I do? Then you might also be interested in my articles about Eisenhüttenstadt or about the GDR Architecture in Berlin.

Der Beitrag Tschiatura – Legendäre Seilbahnen, Lost Places, Sowjetarchitektur und mehr erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

Unassigned, unpaid advertising. The article contains affiliate links.

Highlights of the Photo Tour of Industrial Architecture in Berlin Schöneweide

• Brick romanticism and "Oberschöneweider Klinker" in neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance style
• Morbid charm of the vacant buildings
• Large window fronts and steep views
• Many details, old signs, writings, doors and reliefs
• Crane runway and crane house

Route to the Industrial Architecture in Berlin Oberschöneweide

Getting there

The best way to get there is to take the S-Bahn to Schöneweide. The station building is already a nice introduction to the photowalk, because it is also built of bricks and currently also exudes a slightly morbid charm (construction work is being carried out).

At the end of the tour, you can take the streetcar line 60 or 67 in Wilhelminenhofstraße and be back at the Schöneweide S-Bahn station in a few minutes.

Here you can jump directly to the individual industrial sites:

#1 Bärenquell Brewery
#2 Treskow Bridge
#3 Spreehöfe
#4 Rathenau Halls
#5 Reinbeckhallen and Industrial Salon
#6 Oberspree Power Station and Transformer Station
#7 Oberspree Cable Plant (KWO) and University Campus
#8 Crane Runway and Crane Cafe
#9 Peter Behres Building
#10 Batteries and Accumulators Factory

When is the best Time for a Photo Tour?

A Sunday is the best time for a tour of Berlin's industrial architecture. That's when there's the least traffic and you have peace and quiet for a relaxed search for motifs. The tour is interesting after an extensive rain, because then the buildings are reflected in the water surfaces. In addition, a rather soft light with cloudy sky is suitable for the old brick buildings. This gives your photos a "moody look". When I was on the street, however, the sun came through and the sky was blue. I therefore helped a bit in the later post-processing of the photos and desaturated the blue. So the buildings come much better into their own.

Brief History of the Industrial Location Berlin Schöneweide

At the end of the 19th century, Berlin-Oberschöneweide became one of the most important urban factory districts in Germany. Under the leadership of the Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft (AEG), Europe's first three-phase power plant, a modern cable factory and other electrical and automotive industry plants opened here. The waterfront location on the banks of the Spree, the proximity to the railroad, and the resident three-phase power plant made the area a perfect location. In addition, there was something here that was no longer available in the Berlin city center: space. Factories and production halls line up along the banks of the Spree River for about three kilometers like a string of pearls. The architects Peter Behrens, Osmar Klemm and Ernst Ziesel created a uniform-looking factory town here from the yellow Oberschöneweide clinker. "Elektropolis" was born.

Most of the factory buildings survived the two world wars unscathed. In GDR times, production continued here in Volkseigene Betriebe (VEB). With about 30,000 employees, Oberschöneweide was an important center of the energy industry at that time. With the fall of the Berlin Wall, however, most of the jobs were lost and the cathedrals of labor lost their significance. Today, some of the buildings are still empty. Of the long-established companies, only the Kabelwerk still produces in part of the halls originally used, as well as BAE Batterien GmbH. They are joined by a number of start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises as well as artists and creative people. Since 2009, parts of the old cable factory have been used by the Berlin University of Applied Sciences. For other factory halls, such as the Rathenau Hallen, development for a new use is also planned in the near future.

Tip: However, the history of Berlin's industrial companies also has its dark sides. The Documentation Center for Nazi Forced Labor in Niederschöneweide is a reminder of these. Address: Britzer Strasse 5.

#1 Bärenquell Brewery

The first stop on the photo tour of industrial architecture in Berlin Schöneweide is the former Bärenquell Brewery. Beer was brewed here as early as 1882 at the Borussia Brewery. In 1898, the Borussia brewery was then bought by Schultheiss-Brauerei AG. During the GDR era, the six East Berlin breweries continued to operate as VEB Berliner Brauereien from 1959. The former Borussia brewery was then given the new name Bärenquell-Brauerei. After reunification, the Treuhand took over the company in 1990 and privatized it. Production continued for another four years and finally ceased on April 1, 1994. Since its closure, the site has changed hands several times. So far, there are no concrete plans for a new use and development. Instead, vandalism, theft and decay characterize the historic buildings.

The oldest buildings on the brewery grounds are the officials' residence (1882) and the administration building (1888). Both date back to the time of the Borussia brewery. Most of the other buildings were only erected between 1901 and 1928. The newest building is the New Brewhouse from 1969. All buildings are made of red brick, but in different architectural styles. One can find elements of Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Gothic with castle-like construction, Expressionism as well as Modernism. The old brewery has been a listed building since the 1980s.

Unfortunately, the area is not accessible, fenced with barbed wire and also video monitored. But there are some nice photo opportunities from the outside as well.

Address: Schnellerstraße 136 - 137

#2 Treskow Bridge

The Treskow Bridge is not an industrial building in itself, but you have a good view of the Spreehöfe and the Rathenau Hallen. Here you can live out your creativity and discover many interesting perspectives (see cover picture).

The first Treskow Bridge was opened in 1904. But already a few years later the bridge was no longer able to cope with the increasing traffic in the new industrial area Oberschöneweide. It was therefore replaced by a wider new bridge in 1934. Before the invasion of the Soviet troops, the German army finally blew up the Treskow Bridge and the neighboring Kaisersteg. It was not until 1954 that the sunken bridge parts were recovered from the Spree, processed and used for the construction of a new bridge.

#3 Spreehöfe / Lamp Factory

The industrial monument Spreehöfe combines the buildings of the old lamp factory R. Frister and the former gasworks.

The lamp factory was built from 1897 to 1900 and structurally expanded until 1920. However, in 1934 the lamp factory had to stop its production. Since then, the buildings have been used by a number of other companies, such as Metals Processing Schöneweide, the Society for Aviation Supplies, the VEB RFT Funkwerk Köpenick and, most recently, the Institute for Communications Engineering.

In 1898, the Oberspree gas works was built on the land next to the lamp factory. For a time there was even a telescopic gas tank of the Gasag here. In 1909 and 1937, the land became partly the property of Allgemeine Deutsche Metallwerke Oberschöneweide (ADMOS) and was completely taken over by ADMOS in 1998. In addition to the gasworks, which was located here until 1993, various other factories also used the site on the banks of the Spree.

After the reunification of Germany, the Spreehöfe industrial park was created here after numerous conversions under the new owner ADMOS Immobilien. The courtyards comprise 32 buildings, some of which are listed as historic monuments.

Address: 63 Edisonstrasse at the corner of 87-90 Wilhelminenhofstrasse.

#4 Rathenau Hallen - the Entrance to Elektropolis

Together with the lamp factory, the Rathenau Halls form the entrance portal to "Elektropolis". Here you can also see one of the most striking buildings: the large transformer hall with the big red AEG letters on the gable. With a span of 35 m and a height of 22 m, the factory halls were once among the largest in Berlin.

There are endless photo motifs on the extensive property. In addition to the facades made of the yellow "Oberschöneweider Klinker" and glass fronts, it is the many small details that want to be discovered. Doors, windows, rusty grilles, lamps, switches, fire escapes as well as signs and inscriptions are great motifs.

As early as 1899, the tool and machine factory German Niles-Werke AG was established here on the banks of the Spree. In the 1920s, AEG bought the site and moved the transformer factory from Berlin's Wedding district to Oberschöneweide. Already in the same year, construction of the large transformer hall began according to plans by the architect Ernst Ziesel. Until the 1940s, AEG constructed numerous other buildings here, creating around 4,000 jobs. During World War II, searchlights and ammunition casings were manufactured here. About a third of the workers were forced laborers at the time. After the war, operations were then resumed as VEB Transformatorenwerk. Until reunification, 4,000 employees were employed here, producing transformers, high-voltage switches and fuses. After reunification, AEG leased the site. However, due to declining orders, the plant had to close in 1996.

The factory buildings are still rented out to artists, crafts businesses and retailers for interim use. But in 2019, the heritage-protected halls were purchased by Basecamp. The plan is now to develop them into a cultural and office location with accommodation, co-working, gastronomy and more. Work is expected to begin as early as 2021 and be completed in 2025.

Address: Wilhelminenhofstrasse 83

#5 Reinbeckhallen and Oberschöneweide Industrial Salon

From the Rathenau Halls, the tour continues to the neighboring Reinbeck Halls. The former AEG halls are now an art and cultural center with an exhibition hall, event hall, project space, and a woodworking and printing workshop. Artists and creative people have moved into studios on the site. In addition to an informative exhibition on industrial architecture in Berlin, the Industriesalon Schöneweide also offers guided tours of Oberschöneweide. At Café Schöneweile you can also enjoy drinks and snacks, either on site or directly on the banks of the Spree. From there you have the best view of the Kaisersteg, the halls of the Kabelwerk and the former Oberspree power plant.

Industrial Salon Schöneweide
Elektropolis Tour Fri. 14:00, Sun. 12:00
www.industriesalon.de/fuehrungen

#6 Oberspree Power Station and Transformer Station

The Oberspree Power Station was commissioned in 1897 as the first three-phase power station in Germany. Due to a higher current voltage, the electricity generated here could be efficiently transported over longer distances. This enabled AEG to bring electricity to households in Berlin as well as to the surrounding suburbs on a large scale. The power plant was a technical milestone at the time and also significantly promoted the development of the industrial location. The rapidly growing demand soon led to the expansion of the power plant.

The power plant was decommissioned in 1933 and the halls continued to be used by Kabelwerke Oberspree. The buildings, which like the neighboring industrial buildings are constructed of yellow clinker bricks, are now listed as historic monuments.

#7 Oberspree Cable Plant (KWO) and University Campus

Right next to the three-phase power plant, the Kabelwerk Oberspree (KWO) was opened in 1897. Here, cables, overseas lines as well as wires and insulation were manufactured. It was possible to dispense with the operation of steam power plants in the cable plant, because next door there was enough electricity for the use of new types of electric motors. At the time, the Oberspree cable plant was the most modern factory in Europe.But the factory was not only a highlight in technical terms. The yellow brick ensemble in neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance stylewas also visually impressive. Today, the still preserved administrative and production buildings are listed as one of the most important ensembles of German industrial history.

Due to the good order situation, the factory premises were expanded by 62,000 m² in 1913 and new production halls were built. At the same time, the number of employees had risen to around 8,000 workers.

Fortunately, only parts of the cable plant were destroyed during the Second World War and production was subsequently resumed. In 1952, the plant became a state-owned enterprise (VEB) and was henceforth called VEB Kabelwerk Oberspree. After German reunification in 1990, the Treuhand took over the cable plant, followed two years later by a British company. But the demand was not sufficient and in 1995 cable production in Oberschöneweide ended. Today, cables are only produced in a small part of the factory. The largest part of the former factory, on the other hand, is used as a campus by the Berlin University of Applied Sciences.

Tip: Audio guides can be rented at the info point of the Wilhelminenhof campus, which present the grounds on a tour lasting about one hour. The MP3 files as well as the transcripts are also available for download here auch als Download.

Address: Wilhelminenhofstrasse 75 A

#8 Crane Runway and Crane House

Two special highlights of the Oberspree cable plant are the crane runway and the crane house on the banks of the Spree.

The old crane runway runs vertically between Wilhelminenhofstraße and the square at the Kaisersteg. Where the crane railroad ends at Wilhelminenhofstraße, the crane hook and the driver's cabin offer interesting motifs. The crane bar invites you next to the promenade under the old crane railroad for coffee, breakfast as well as snacks and cakes.

An equally interesting motif and cozy place to linger is the Crane House Café on the shore. Here you can find coffee specialties, cakes as well as delicious food in a cozy industrial style.

Addresses: Kranbar Wilhelminenhofstraße 80; Kranhauscafe Paul-Tropp-Straße 11

#9 Peter Behrens Building

The Peter Behrens Building was completed during World War I in 1917 after only two years of construction. The architect Peter Behrens set new standards with his modern multi-storey factory. For here, the separation of production, administration and public life was eliminated. Today, the building is considered a "monument to modern 20th century industrial culture in Berlin" and is therefore a listed building.

In 1901, the industrialist and founder of AEG, Emil Rathenau, founded the Neue Automobil-Gesellschaft AG (NAG). Not only cars and trucks were manufactured here, but also sports and luxury cars and the Berlin double-decker. During World War I, however, production was switched to war-related goods and the company was renamed the Nationale Automobil-Gesellschaft. In 1917, NAG finally moved into the new factory. The vehicles were produced here from top to bottom on the floors of the modern multi-storey factory. A total of 18 elevators with a load capacity of up to 6,000 kg were in use.

After automobile production ceased in 1934, the AEG subsidiary Telefunken moved in and produced radio tubes. During the GDR era, the Oberspreewerk manufactured television electronics here. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Samsung initially bought the building. Later, the next owner leased the space to various smaller businesses. In May 2019, Deutsche Immobilien Entwicklungs AG (DIE AG) finally purchased the site and plans to develop it.

Did you know? The Peter Behrens Building was a film location in the series Babylon Berlin.

The square tower is reminiscent of a town hall tower, which is why some call the building the "Town Hall of Oberschöneweide." Inside the tower, you enter a light-flooded staircase hall encircled by four-story arcades and surrounding galleries.

Tip: The Schöneweide industrial salon offers guided tours. This includes climbing the 70-meter-high tower with panoramic terrace, tower café and breathtaking views.

Address: Ostendstrasse 1-4

#10 Batteries and Accumulators Factory

In 1899, the Gesellschaft für elektrische Unternehmungen built the first factory buildings for the Akkumulatorenwerke Oberspree AG. Here, portable lead accumulators and batteries were produced on behalf of AEG.

Aktiengesellschaft (AFA) took over the factory and produced, among other things, vehicles with electric drives and charging stations. During the GDR period and also after German reunification, production continued at the plant, but now under the name BAE GmbH. Today, BAE Batterien GmbH still produces batteries and accumulators. And not only at the site in Oberschöneweide but in over 80 countries.

Part of the accumulator plant from the first construction phase in the 1890s is even still preserved and can be visited from the outside. This includes the administration building and the main entrance to the factory premises, as well as a single hall. Here you can discover beautiful details, such as an old clock, tracks, old inscriptions or even rusty rollers of a sliding gate. In Ostendstraße, you can also see a 125-meter-long, single-story factory building made of clinker bricks from the 1920s. Other preserved structures are administrative and social buildings, which were built only at the time of the German division.

Address: Wilhelminenhofstrasse 68 and 69 to Ostendstrasse 30-33.

Book Recommendations for more Industrial Architecture in Berlin and Germany

You want to know even more about industrial architecture in Berlin and all over Germany and discover new photo locations? Then I have a lot of inspiration for trips and photo tours in Berlin for you. You can order the books easily at Amazon by clicking on the pictures. If you buy a book or another article via an affiliate link, I get a small commission and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you.

Did you like the photo tour through the industrial architecture in Berlin Schöneweide? Do you have any questions or suggestions regarding my article? If yes, then write me a comment!

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Der Beitrag Fototour in “Elektropolis” – Industriearchitektur in Berlin Schöneweide erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

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Where is Edinburgh's Ghost Island Cramond?

Cramond Island is one of several islands in the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh.It is about 500 meters long and has an area of 7.70 hectares. As a tidal island, Cramond is connected to the mainland at low tide and can be reached either through the mudflats or via a concrete walkway about 1.1 km long.

What is there to see on the Ghost Island Cramond?

Today the island is deserted, but in both world wars it was part of a network of gun batteries and searchlights on the Fifth of Forth.The aim was to protect the anchor bay and the naval base Rosyth from enemy attacks. Most of the buildings you can see on the island date from the Second World War.

The island is often called ghost island. But I have not been able to find any ghost stories that directly affect the island. So the name is more likely based on the fact that the island is deserted and no longer used by humans. Except as a destination for excursions.And as such it is very popular especially with locals. For tourists, however, it is rather an insider tip.Because most people concentrate more on the well-known highlights in the old town of Edinburgh, a trip to Cramond Island is on the to-do list for few.

Strange Wall made of Concrete Teeth

The dam that connects the island with the mainland is lined with concrete teeth. These massive piers stand close together and are a good 4 meters high. They stand out from afar and are among the most bizarre things you can see in Scotland. A "must see" for all lovers of lost places and photographers. I couldn't stop photographing the concrete pillars from all imaginable angles.

The pillars are a relic from the Second World War. They are part of a larger boat barrier, which included submarine nets. The purpose of the concrete teeth was to prevent enemy torpedo boats from passing through to the anchorage bay and the naval base Rosyth. On their sides, narrow slits can still be seen, in which concrete beams formed a continuous wall. The barrier is often called a submarine barrier. But the barrier was intended for normal boats, because the water here is not deep enough for submarines.

Relics from the Second World War

Besides the bizarre boat barrier, there are other relics from the Second World War on the island, including several bunkers. But the island was already used for military purposes in the First World War Already in 1914 a submarine network was stretched from Cramond Island via Inchmickery to Inchcolm Island and the coast. Gun emplacements were also set up on the three islands.

In the Second World War the fortifications were further expanded. On the south side of the island, just behind the dam, there is a big brick building. Here a 75 mm cannon and a searchlight were installed. On the north side of the island you can explore more bunkers from the inside and outside. The positions here once guarded the Fifth of Forth. Beside the bunkers you can also see the curved Rails of a twin six-pound gun. .

The gray concrete is now also used by graffiti artists. The colors and the blooming flowers around the bunkers give a great contrast.

From the north side of the island you also have a good view of the neighboring Inchmickery Island (the ‘Battleship’ Island)which was also expanded during the Second World War for defense purposes. There are even more bunkers and other buildings on it than on Cramond. Between Cramond and Inchmickery there was a submarine network during the war. You can see the attachment point for the net in front of the shore at low tide.

Inchmickery Island is now a bird sanctuary. With a boat tour will get a little closer. Because of Covid-19 the tour was unfortunately not offered during my stay.

Ruin of the old Farm of Cramond

Sheep were already being kept on the island of Cramond in the 1790s. In the middle of the island, the ruins of a farmhouse still testify to the former agricultural use.

The farmhouse is already marked on a map from 1853, but it may be even older. Part of it was rented out as a vacation home. After the farmer died in 1904, one family even rented the whole island as a vacation home. Sheep were kept on Cramond until the 1960s. Today the ruins of the house are hidden in the small wood in the middle of the island.

Viewpoint with a View to the Forth Bridges

From the highest point of the island you have a great view of the Fifth of Forth. You can even see the famous Forth Bridge, which was opened for trains in 1890. In the other direction, the skyline of Edinburgh rises with the Granton Waterfront and the historic Gasometer from 1903.

Natur

The tidal coast is a habitat for numerous birds. At low tide, seagulls and waders find a richly set table and hobby ornithologists find great observation opportunities.During my stay I have seen the following birds: Black-headed Gulls, Great White Gulls, Oystercatchers, Grey Herons, Little Egrets, Goosanders, Eider Ducks, Great Crested Grebes, Cormorants, Mute Swans, Turnstones, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlews, Raven Crows, Goldfinch.

Numerous snails and various types of shells can be seen in the mudflats. Most however only as empty shells. The stones are overgrown with seaweed. They must look beautiful under water.

A walk through the mudflats is something very special. Rubber boots or at least waterproof shoes are helpful. The mudflats are very soft in places and you sink deeply.

I was just about to clean my shoes in one of the tide pools when I discovered a small octopusin the water. I was quite amazed and forgot my dirty shoes immediately. He was sitting motionless in the water. Normally the octopuses adapt to their environment in color, but this one was all white. The octopus was no longer alive. Maybe the tiny pool had become too warm and too low in oxygen. Poor guy, I felt sorry for him. But still - he was so beautiful to look at.

Tip: from the middle of August the blackberries are ripe, they grow especially close to the north side of the island, next to the small asphalt road.

What else is there to see?

Village Cramond

The small village of Cramond is one of the most important archaeological sites in Scotland. Already in the Mesolithic Age people lived in and around Cramond. Later Cramond became an important Roman settlement with a large fortress. The foundations of the fortress are still visible next to the church. Today Cramond is a beautiful example of an 18th century Scottish village. Among other things you can see an old church with a cemetery, old mansions, the ruins of two water-powered mills and a small harbour.

You can find out more about Cramond's history in the information flyers on the Cramond Association website.

Even more Sea

If you follow the coastal path to the east, you will come back to the city of Edinburgh. I walked the distance to Princess Street Garden in about 2.5 hours. Most of the time I could still walk in the mudflats, later I walked the coast path.

Directions to Cramond Island from Edinburgh

The island of Cramond can be reached quickly and easily from Edinburgh - just perfect for a day trip! Bus number 41 runs every 20 to 30 minutes between the center of Edinburgh and the village of Cramond.The journey from Queensferry Street to Cramond (Cramond Glebe Road stop) takes about 20 minutes, from Waverly Station about 40 minutes. A single ticket costs 1.80 Euro and can be bought from the bus driver with a credit card or in coins.

If you come by car, take Cramond Glebe Road. Shortly before the end of the road, a parking lot branches off to the right. On weekends it can get crowded, so it is best to arrive early.

There is a public toilet and an ice cream van at the starting point of the hike. Opposite the small harbour there is a small bistro and a little above the parking lot is the Cramond Inn.

When is the Dam to Cramond Island accessible?

Cramond Island can only be reached via the dam at low tide. The Coast Guard recommends that you only walk around the dam during the four hours around the lowest water level. There is a list of safe times on the website of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute Queensferry. A sign in front of the dam also indicates the earliest possible crossing (starting from the mainland) and the latest return (starting from the island). There is also an emergency phone number in case you do not return in time.

Book Recommendations for Scotland

You want to know where the journey goes? Then I recommend the following travel guides, which have proven themselves on my trip:

Lonely Planet Scotland*

Schottland. Wanderungen an den Küsten und in den Highlands. 50 Touren. Mit GPS-Tracks* (only German)

Wild Guide Scotland: Hidden Places, Great Adventures & the Good Life*

Which is your favorite destination for a trip out of Edinburgh - also the island of Cramond? How did you like it? Do you have any questions or suggestions regarding my article? If so, please write me a comment!

Do you want to know when there are new articles on my blog? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends.

Recommendations for further Reading

Do you love lost places and bunkers as much as I do? Then you might also be interested in my articles about Lost Places in Berlin and Brandenburg or about a trip to the Döberitzer Heide - an old Military Training Area near Berlin.

Der Beitrag Geisterinsel Cramond – Geheimtipp für Edinburgh erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

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Facts about the Hike

Length: 2.7 kilometers coastal path and field path
Duration: about one hour
Start and end: Parking lot at the end of the street just before "The Bu"
Highlights: Ruins from the Second World War; view over Scapa Flow and the islands of Flotta and Hoy; wildlife observations possible

How to get there

Hoxa Head is located on the Orkney island of South Ronaldsay, west of the ferry port of St. Margaret's Hope. You can see the ruins of the coastal artillery battery from the ferry as you arrive.. Mit dem Auto fahrt ihr vom Fährhafen etwa 10 Minuten. Am Ende der Straße, kurz vor “The Bu”, ist ein Parkplatz und der Ausgangspunkt der Wanderung.

Tip: Are you on the Orkneys by tent or camper? A great place to camp is the beach "Sands of Wright", located about halfway between the ferry terminal and Hoxa Head.

Coastal Artillery Batteries on the Orkneys

Hoxa Head is one of the best examples of a coastal artillery battery on the Orkneys. The facility guarded the southern entrance to Scapa Flow, the Royal Navy's most important anchorage in both World Wars. The battery included observation towers, gun and searchlight emplacements as well as shelters and other outbuildings. It was paired with a similar facility on the opposite island of Flotta - the Buchanan Battery.

Between Flotta and Hoxa Head a submarine interception net was stretched across the sound. The net was supplemented by induction loops on the sea floor to detect metal hulls of ships. Underwater mines could be triggered in case of an attack from land.

The battery was abandoned after the war. The huts were dismantled in 1947 and the cannons were removed in 1950. The ruins you can still see today on Hoxa Head are mainly the gun emplacements of the 6-pounder cannons from the Second World War. Due to the ongoing decay, some of the ruins are fenced in and no one is allowed to enter.

Coastal Hike to the Ruins of Hoxa Head

From the parking lot you walk further up the road. Shortly after the house "The Bu" a narrow path to the coast turns off to the right. When you reach the shore, turn left, always along the coast. Soon you will see the first ruins - two gun emplacements of the Balfour Battery from the Second World War.An information board describes the facility that was once located here at Hoxa Head.

The path continues between barbed wire and the coast. The view from here to Scapa Flow and the islands of Flotta and Hoy are fantastic.

By the way: Hoxa Head is also a good point to see whales and dolphins. In summer you can even see minke whales and orcas.

The path is easy to walk and you will see more ruins on both sides of the path. Once you reach the southernmost point of the headland, the path curves back a little further inland. Here you will find the remains of the Hoxa Head Battery, including more gun emplacements, bunkers, shelter foundations, and a solitary fireplace and chimney.

After you have passed several remains of concrete foundations, follow the dirt road to the right back to the parking lot.

Book Recommendations for Scotland

You want to know where the journey goes? Then I recommend the following travel guides, which have proven themselves on my trip:

Do you know the bunkers and lost places of Hoxa Head on the Orkneys? How did you like them? Do you have any questions or comments about my article? If so, please write me a comment!

Do you want to know when there are new articles on my blog? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends.

Recommendations for further Reading

Do you love Lost Places as much as I do? Then you might also be interested in my articles about Lost Places in Berlin and Brandenburg or about the former Listening Station at Teufelsberg in Berlin.

Der Beitrag Hoxa Head Battery – Lost Place auf den Orkneys erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

Unassigned, unpaid advertising. The article contains affiliate links.

The Emergency Landing in Storm, Ice and Fog

On 21 November 1973 the Douglas C-117 was on a routine mission. The Douglas C-117 is the military version of the DC-3, therefore the wreck is also known as DC-3 wreck. The weather was getting worse. The temperature dropped to -10° Celsius and gusts reached wind speeds of 95 km/h. Finally the carburetor and the engines froze up and failed. The plane had to make an emergency landing. A stroke of luck. The wide sand surfaces made a relatively soft landing possible. The plane finally came to a halt just before the sea. All five crew members remained uninjured. Only one hour later they were rescued by a US Air Force helicopter.

The plane came to a standstill after the emergency landing just before the sea. The Americans dismantled from the wreck the parts still usable: the engines, the instruments and the wings with the turbines. The rest of the plane was left on the beach. It served temporarily as a storage for driftwood or as a target. Finally it was forgotten.

But in the last few years it became famous through music videos and since then it attracts many visitors. First the Icelandic music group Sigur Rós showed recordings of the plane wreck in their film "Heima" (2007). In 2015 Justin Bieber made a music video in which he rode a skateboard on the wrecked plane.

How do I get to the Plane Wreck on the Beach of Sólheimasandur?

At first, the location of the wreck was a well-kept secret, but many sought it out at good luck in the stone desert of Sólheimasandur. With GPS data it became easier then, visitors drove with their four-wheel drive vehicles on their own to the wreck. However, many got stuck, got lost and had to be rescued. At the expense of nature, of course. Because the sand surface was more and more furrowed by traffic lanes.

Today the access road is closed. With your own vehicle you will therefore not be able to reach the wreck of the plane from Sólheimasandur. Instead you have three possibilities:

On foot: You walk about 3.5 kilometres to the wreck, which takes 45 to 60 minutes. The same then back again.
Shuttle bus: There is a Shuttle bus:that will take you to the wreck in 15 minutes. It runs all day between 10 and 17 o'clock every 30 minutes from the parking lot Sólheimasandur. But only in the cold season from October to May. Cost there and back: 13 euros.
ATV-Tour: You book an ATV-Tourwhich goes to the wreck of the plane. The tour is bookable all year round and takes about two hours. Costs: 169 Euro.

I have decided to do the hike. The weather was good, but very windy. Just in case I packed some provisions and strapped something warm and my rain gear on my backpack. The weather can change quickly in Iceland and the way is long.

Hike to the Plane Wreck at the Beach of Sólheimasandur

The plane wreck lies about halfway between the Skógafoss waterfall and Vík í Mýrdal. There is a small parking lot directly at the ring road. A sign informs about the length and duration of the hike and again points out to be prepared for bad weather. This is a four-hour hike. That is a little bit exaggerated. I was back at the car after a total of two hours.

Which is no exaggeration: Icelandic weather is unpredictable and there is no protection along the way. Therefore it is best to assume the worst. Unfortunately, two Chinese tourists did not do that in January 2020. And the worst thing happened - they froze to death on the way, not far from the wrecked plane. Tragic. And a terrible irony: during the emergency landing all crew members remained unharmed. Instead, tourists who came to see the wreckage died. Even a man who took photos of the wreck on the beach had an accident: a particularly big wave pulled him into the freezing cold sea.

The way leads straight ahead through a stone desert. The area is wide and empty, here there is nothing the eye can hold on to for a moment. Except the yellow posts, which mark the way left and right. There is no trace of an airplane wreck to be seen far and wide. Only at the very end the path makes a small left turn and opens the view to the wreck.

The way back is a little more interesting, because here you have a view of the mountains and Mýrdalsjökull. At some point you will recognize the parking lot again, which finally gets bigger and bigger.

Guided Tours in Iceland

You don't feel like wandering around on your own and would rather join a guided tour in Iceland? Nothing could be easier. If you book an excursion via the following affiliate links, you will support Wanderlust Motifs with a small commission. The tour will not be more expensive for you. Merci!

Aircraft Cemetery

The wreck of the Douglas C-117 on the beach of Sólheimasandur is not the only plane wreck in Iceland. The unpredictable weather of Iceland has led to several crashes. Between 1941 and 1973 there are said to have been 385 US airplane accidents in Iceland.

An agreement between Iceland and the US military provided that if an American plane crashed, the US would pay 85% of the recovery costs. However, the Icelandic government would be responsible for the evacuation on site. As a result, many planes would remain at their crash site for the time being.

The smart Icelanders quickly found new uses for the wrecks: for example, a sheep pen was built or parts of the wrecks were converted into roofs or fences. The steel of the hull was used to make pans and pots. You wonder where the tail of the plane wreck of Sólheimasandur has gone? It was cut off in 1994, taken away and then attached to the front part of another plane. Since then it has been used as living quarters.

My Conclusion to the Hike to the Wreck of the Plane

A trip to the plane wreck on the beach of Sólheimasandur is worthwhile. It is something completely different, a great contrast to all the waterfalls, glaciers and bird rocks. And the white plane on the black sand is just a great photo motif. It's best to visit it early or late, when not so many other people do the same. But remember: Safety First! Watch out for the weather and dress appropriately for Iceland. And one more thing: Please don't leave any marks on the plane, don't scribble or break off any parts. So that it will be preserved for a long time to come and so that many more people can enjoy the plane wreckage after you have gone.

Book Recommendations for Iceland

Do you want to know where the journey is going? Then I can recommend this travel guides* to you.

You can order the travel guides on Amazon by clicking on the pictures. If you buy a product via an affiliate link, I get a small commission and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. This does not make the product more expensive for you.

Did you like my article about the plane wreck on Sólheimasandur beach? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends. Do you have any questions or suggestions? If so, please write me a comment!

Recommendations for further Reading

Do you love the Scandinavian countries as much as I do? Then you might also be interested in my articles about the Faroe Islands or a tour on a Dog Sled from Tasiilaq to Tiniteqilaaq in East Greenland.

Der Beitrag Flugzeugwrack von Sólheimasandur – Tipps und Infos für euren Besuch erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

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Watchtowers and remains of the Berlin Wall

#1 Section of the Inner Wall in the Wall Park - Hall of Fame für Graffiti Sprayer
#2 Bernauer-Straße - Border Installations in original Structure
#3 Former Command Post Kieler Eck - Memorial Gunter Litfin
#4 Wall Segments at Potsdamer Platz - the Chewing Gum Wall
#5 Watchtower in the Erna-Berger-Straße
#6 Preserved Section of the Outer Wall in Niederkirchner Straße - the Tracks of the Wall Woodpeckers
#7 East Side Gallery - the longest and most famous Piece of the Berlin Wall
#8 Command Post and Art Location at Schlesischer Busch
#9 Metal Fence and Remnants of the Wall in Kladow
#10 Command Post Nieder Neuendorf with Border Museum
#11 Nature Conservation in the Bergfelde Command Post
#12 "Stalin Lawn" in the Eichwerder Moor Meadows

In the map below, the former watchtowers and the most interesting remains of the Berlin Wall are marked with a camera symbol. The stars stand for further highlights that you can discover along the Berlin Wall Trail. You can read more in my article Berlin Wall Trail - 15 Highlights of the Walk around West Berlin (coming soon).

The Border Installation between West and East Berlin

The 160-kilometer-long border between West and East Berlin consisted not only of the famous Berlin Wall and associated watchtowers. Rather, it was a complex barrier system that was constantly being expanded and optimized. The 50 to 150 meter wide border strip - also known as the death strip - was bordered to the east by an inner wall or metal fence and to the west by a 3.6 meter high concrete wall. In between there was the signal fence with sneak-by protection. When touched, the alarm was triggered immediately. Behind it, thorn mats, the so-called Stalin lawn, were laid out. This was followed by a raked sand area and vehicle barriers. The entire border strip was completely illuminated and secured with additional alarm systems and monitored by armed border guards.

The first watchtowers were already built in 1952, about 9 years before the actual construction of the Berlin Wall. Initially, they were wooden or steel towers and brick towers. From the 1970s onwards, the watchtowers were then built from prefabricated concrete elements. Along the border there were a total of 280 watchtowers and 32 command posts. The distance between the watchtowers within the city was just 250 metres. Each watchtower was connected to its command post via the telephone line. This was also a tower, only slightly larger. Each command post controlled 18 other watchtowers.

Watchtowers and remains of the Berlin Wall

#1 Section of the Inner Wall in the Wall Park - Hall of Fame für Graffiti Sprayer

In the Mauerpark, about 300 meters of the former inner wall are still preserved. It borders the Friedrich-Jahn Stadium and was built especially high and massive because of the many visitors in the stadium. Since the fall of the Wall in 1989, this section of the wall has been used by graffiti artists, and since the summer of 2019 it has also been completely legal.

#2 Bernauer-Straße - Border Installations in original Structure

Opposite the Berlin Wall Documentation Center on Bernauer Strasse, an original section of the border installation has been preserved in its original structure. This includes the border wall, death strip, guards' path, whip lamps, and inner wall. From the Documentation Center's observation tower you have a good view of the complex. Before the Wall was built, this area belonged to the cemetery of the Sophienkirche parish. For the construction of the Wall in 1961 the dead had to be reburied and the gravesites dissolved.

#3 Former Command Post Kieler Eck - Memorial Gunter Litfin

The watchtower in Kieler Straße houses the Günter Litfin memorial. Günter Litfin was shot on August 24, 1961 while trying to escape. He was the first victim of targeted shots on the border between East and West Berlin, eleven days after the Wall was built. The watchtower used to be a command post for GDR border troops. Today, the tower is standing between residential buildings from the 1990s. A little further south, at the Invalidenfriedhof (cemetery for invalids), there is also a piece of the inner wall.

#4 Wall Segments at Potsdamer Platz - the Chewing Gum Wall

The Potsdamer Platz was formerly a border area. The death strip here was several hundred meters wide. Where shopping centres attract crowds today, there was nothing after the Wall fell. Afterwards, the largest construction site in Germany was built. The bright red info box documented the past and the planned future of Potsdamer Platz. From the roof there was also a great view over the wide construction site. And what would Potsdamer Platz be without a piece of the Wall? That is why some original segments of the wall were placed on Potsdamer Platz and Leipziger Platz. However, they are no longer in their original location. But they mark the location of the inner and outer walls. What is remarkable about the wall segments standing here is that they are covered with hundreds, if not thousands, of chewing gums. I don't know - I think normal graffiti would look nicer there.

#5 Watchtower in the Erna-Berger-Straße

Also in Erna-Berger-Straße a watchtower of type BT 11 is still preserved. However, it is no longer in its original place. Because of the new buildings it had to be moved a few meters. The watchtower was extensively renovated between 2011 and 2014. Since then it has become a highlight for visitors to Berlin.

The observation tower was built around 1971. It is the last remaining tower of this early type, the BT 11, which was the first to be built in concrete after the wooden towers. There were more than 200 of this type at that time. The tower was permanently occupied by two border soldiers.

#6 Preserved Section of the Outer Wall in Niederkirchner Straße - the Tracks of the Wall Woodpeckers

In Niederkirchner Straße, a 200-meter-long piece of the original wall stands on the site of the Topography of Terror. The wall was exploited in 1989/90 by the so-called "wall woodpeckers". The souvenir hunters used tools to break pieces out of the Wall in order to sell them to tourists. In many places the wall has been removed except for the steel reinforcements. Due to the damaged condition the wall is now fenced in. It was consciously preserved in this condition as a testimony of history.

#7 East Side Gallery - the longest and most famous Piece of the Berlin Wall

The East Side Gallery is the longest section of the wall still preserved, at about 1.3 kilometres. And certainly also the most famous. For the Wall between Ostbahnhof and Oberbaumbrücke is not only a testimony to history, but also the longest open air gallery in the world. But the Wall on the Spree has two sides: a colourful one as an expression of joy and hope and a white one as a shadow catcher. Since the 1980s, the side of the Wall facing the Spree River had been painted white so that border guards could see refugees better.

The East Side Gallery was built after the opening of the Berlin Wall between spring and autumn 1990. 118 artists from 21 countries painted the then grey concrete wall with 106 works of art. And thus saved the Wall from demolition. In their paintings, the artists expressed the political changes of 1989/90 and their joy over the fall of the Wall. In November 1991, the wall and its paintings were finally listed as a historical monument. However, environmental influences and overpainting caused the paintings to suffer. After minor restoration measures, a complete restoration finally took place in 2009. The works of art were removed and the respective artists were asked to repaint their paintings with more resistant colours.

#8 Command Post and Art Location at Schlesischer Busch

The watchtower at Schlesischer Busch was occupied on 1 July 1990 by the artist and songwriter Karl Winkler and declared a "Museum of Forbidden Art". Thus the tower and its interior was preserved. Today, the Flutgraben e.V. association runs an exhibition on the history of the site as well as changing art exhibitions here.

The tower was formerly a command post and controlled 18 other watchtowers as well as the electronic security systems of this section of the wall. The square tower is 10 metres high, has four floors and a walk-on roof. The base floor was sunk into the ground. It housed the technical installations, including the telephone system to the surrounding watchtowers. On the ground floor there was a detention cell and a toilet, above it was the lounge. The second floor was the actual observation post. Here in the command post, the alarm was triggered by the signal fences erected since 1967.

#9 Metal Fence and Remnants of the Wall in Kladow

Next to a short piece of the former wall with a pipe top against climbing over, you can see a longer fence section. The three meter high metal fence is from the second half of the 1980s. Metal fences were often placed in the outskirts instead of the inner wall.

#10 Command Post Nieder Neuendorf with Border Museum

In the Hennigsdorf district of Nieder Neuendorf there is another border tower. Since 1987, it has served as a command post for 18 other border towers. Its structure is comparable to the command posts in Schlesischer Busch, Kieler Eck and Bergfelde. Since November 1999 the tower has been open to the public. Today it houses a multimedia exhibition on the division of Germany, the GDR border troops and the internal surveillance mechanisms. In addition, the museum documents the history of refugees, emigrants and opposition members from the region.

#11 Nature Conservation in the Bergfelde Command Post

After reunification, the former Bergfelde command post was transferred to the teacher Helga Garduhn for use for nature conservation purposes. The Bergfelde Border Tower has been used for nature conservation work since 1990 and enables nature conservation activities with schools, kindergartens, youth groups and adults. Today the tower is also known as the SDW nature conservation tower . The Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald (SDW) has been committed to the protection and preservation of our forests since 1947.

Information boards around the tower provide details about border installations in general and about the tower here in Bergfelde in particular. You can also see other elements of the border installations such as a section of metal fence, a piece of "Stalin lawn" and a vehicle barrier.

#12 "Stalin Lawn" in the Eichwerder Moor Meadows

The Stalin lawn - also called asparagus bed - was a thorny mat with thorns 10 to 14 centimetres long on both sides. They were intended to deter people from trying to escape or to break the feet of those fleeing. Anyone who tried to walk over it would inevitably fall and be impaled. The Stalin lawn not only lay flat on the border strip. It was also hidden vertically in ditches and installed horizontally on embankments and moors, for example in the Eichwerder Moor meadows. There were also thousands of these thorn plates in the river Havel. Human rights activists criticised this cruel way of stopping escape attempts. As a result, these mats were only used secretly in areas that were difficult to see.

To conclude the article

It was hard for me to let the article end with something as cruel as the Stalin lawn. I'd rather give you two final tips for further discoveries.

The Berliner Unterwelten e.V. offers a guided tour to tunnel escapes under the Berlin Wall . In total, there were more than 70 attempts that had been started to get to West Berlin through self-dug escape tunnels. However, only 19 attempts were successful. But at least 300 GDR citizens were able to flee. Most of the tunnels you see are replicas. But since November 2019 you can also visit an original tunnel from 1970/71.

The guided tour to the tunnel escapes takes place in Bernauer Straße. Not far away is the worthwhile Berlin Wall Documentation and Visitor Center.

Book Recommendations and Guided Tours for Berlin Explorers

If you want to go deeper and learn more about the Berlin Wall, I can recommend the following books. Click on the picture to get to Amazon, where you can order the books. If you buy something through one of these affiliate links, I get a small commission and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you.

You want to explore the former border on a guided tour? Then I can recommend the Insider Tour Cold War* (english + german) and a guided Bike Tour along the Wall in a small group* (german).

Did you like my article about the watchtowers and remains of the Berlin Wall? Then follow me Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends. Do you have any questions or suggestions? If so, please write me a comment!

More Berlin articles to read on

You want to discover more of Berlin? How about Berlin's Lost Places or a walk to the Graffiti Skyscrapers in Art Park Tegel?

Der Beitrag Spurensuche – Wachtürme und Reste der Berliner Mauer erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

Elba is home to the largest magnetite deposit in Europe. The Etruscans and Greeks had already discovered the rich mineral deposits and started mining. The mines on Elba therefore belong to the first mining sites worldwide. For centuries, ores and minerals were mined here.

But at the beginning of the 80s mining was stopped. The opencast mines, mines and shipyards finally became open-air museums. They are located in the east of the island near Capoliveri on Monte Calamita and in the northeast between Rio Marina and Cavo. Here you can see numerous artefacts and conveyor systems from the mining era.

What was mined in the Mines of Elba?

Magnetite was mined in the mines of Capoliveri. It's an iron mineral with strong magnetic properties. The mineral also gave Monte Calamita its name, because Calamita means magnet. In the Rio Marina mine, however, mainly hematite crystals and pyrite were extracted.

In the mines of Elba, however, other minerals were also found. For example hematite, epidote, quartz, tormalin, azurite, malachite, chrysocolla, aragonite, gypsum, garnet, epidote and ilvaite. Maybe you will be lucky on your walk and find a nice stone yourself.

The Mine of Vallone

To the west of Monte Calamita near Capoliveri is the Vallone mine. Here you can discover an exciting open-cast mine with numerous relics from the mining era on your own: steep mining terraces lead down to the sea. You can see decaying buildings, rusty conveyor belts, the remains of the landing stage and excavators and wheel loaders from times long past. Since 1981, the mine has been standing still and is slowly being overgrown by Mediterranean bushes.

The mining of magnetite here began in the 19th century and has been continued ever since. The extracted rock was transported to the mine factory via conveyor belts. Here it was processed in washers. Electromagnets then separated the valuable magnetic material from the remaining rock. The magnetite was then transported by truck or ship to the steelworks on the mainland.

Above the Vallone mine, in the former mechanical workshop, is the Museum della Vecchia Officina. It displays original objects from the mining industry and provides information about the history of mining on Elba. The museum is also the starting point for guided tours. You can also park your car here if you want to explore the Vallone open-cast mine on your own.

Elba's only underground Mining Site - the Ginervo Mine

East of the Vallone mine is the Ginervo mine. Mining here began in the 1930s as open-cast mining. From the 1960s onwards, underground mining was finally started. For this purpose, a 7-kilometre-long tunnel was first dug into the mountain. From 1970 onwards, intensive exploitation of the deposit began. In the last year of operation, 1981, up to 100 tonnes of ore per hour could be extracted from the mine. The mining sites eventually reached down to a depth of 54 metres below sea level. The Ginevro mine has been open to visitors since 2011 and can be visited with a guided tour . The starting point for the tours is the Museum della Vecchia Officina.

How to reach the museum: : from the roundabout Piazza del Cavatore in Capoliveri follow the sign "Miniere Calamita". Now you drive about 6 kilometres on a panoramic road with spectacular views.
Opening hours: : Depending on the season very different. The best way to find out is to visit the official website..
Entrance to the museum: 2,50 Euro adults / 1,50 Euro children.
Underground visits:There are two different routes. Costs 18 - 24 euros for adults and 12 - 16 euros for children.

The Mine of Rio Marina

Further mines and several wharfs are located in the north-east of Elba between Rio Marina and Cavo. Rio Marina is the oldest mine on Elba. The Etruscans In 1977, however, the last wharf was closed. The Mineral Museum in Rio Marina offers guided tours to the former mining area. If you want to have it more comfortable, you can also take the mining train through the mineral park. The so-called “Rote See”is also worth seeing here. The lake gets its intense red colour from the iron oxides, which are found here in high concentrations.

How to reach the museum: Via Magenta 26, 57038 Rio Marina. From Portoferraio take the SP26 and SP32 for about half an hour to Rio Marina.
Opening hours: April, May, June, September, October: 9:30-12:30 am / 3:30-6:30 pm. July and August: 9:30-12:30 am / 3:30-7:00 pm.
Entrance to the museum: 2,50 Euro
Ticket mine train: 12 Euro adults / 7,50 Euro children
Tours: Three different tours are offered. Costs between 5 and 10 Euro

Did you like my article about the abandoned mines on the island of Elba? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends. Do you have any questions or suggestions? If so, please write me a comment!

Recommendations for further Reading

Do you love abandoned places as much as I do? Then take a look at my two articles below:

Lost Places - abandoned Places in Berlin and Brandenburg

Chernobyl - Photography against oblivion

Der Beitrag Insel Elba – die Minen von Capoliveri erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

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From the Military Training Area "Döberitz" to an Excursion Destination near Berlin
Hiking on the Döberitzer Heide near Berlin
When is the best Season for a Trip to the Döberitzer Heide?
By Bus and Train for Hiking in the Döberitzer Heide
Conclusion about my Trip to the Döberitzer Heide

From the Military Training Area "Döberitz" to an Excursion Destination near Berlin

The use as a Military Training area created special Biotopes

The use as a military training area created special biotopes The Döberitzer Heide was officially inaugurated in 1895 by Kaiser Wilhelm II as a military training area. But even before that, military exercises had already taken place on the site. Around the end of the century, large areas were finally cleared. This resulted in desert-like areas. A narrow-gauge railway was built to transport the timber. In some places even remains of the railway embankment can still be seen. During the Hitler era, bunkers and other shooting ranges were built on the site. Large caserns were also built in the neighbourhood: the Adler-Löwenkaserne in Elstal and the Krampnitz-Kaserne near Potsdam. After the Second World War, the Soviet occupation troops used the area as a training ground.

During its use as a military training area, special biotopes developed. Tracked vehicles, fires and explosions limited the vegetation. Open and semi-open areas low in nutrients were created. The area became a unique, wilderness-like retreat for plants and animals. Many of them are on the Red List.

Tip: There are more former military training areas around Berlin which are interesting destinations for excursions. For example Forst-Zinna near Jüterborg or the Schönower Heide in the north of Berlin. Are you interested in Lost Places? Then have a look at my article about the Lost Places in Berlin and Brandenburg .

Nature Experience Space with special Landscape Gardeners and Military Relics

After the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1992, the Naturschutz Förderverein Döberitzer Heide e.V. took care of the preservation and development of the areas. There was a lot to do. After the end of military use, the valuable open landscapes were threatened by scrub encroachment. The diversity of biotopes and species was endangered by natural succession. In addition, the entire area was contaminated with explosive ordnance and the occupation troops left behind mountains of rubbish and scrap. It was not until 1999 that the clearance of explosive ordnance and the removal of the contaminated sites was finally begun.

Landscape Gardeners

The former military training area became an exemplary nature experience area. With some very special landscape gardeners: bisons, Przewalski horses, red deer, sheep and goats keep the vegetation short and thus help to preserve the valuable semi-open and open landscapes. Unfortunately we did not see any of the big animals during our hike. They were hidden deep in the wilderness zone. But we could observe all the more sheep and goats.

But when we went hiking on the Döberitzer Heide another time the following year, things looked different: From the observation tower we could watch a small herd of Przewalski horses grazing. They were a bit further away, but even without binoculars you could see the animals very well. Not far away from the observation tower there was another surprise for us. There was a huge bison. He was alone and was not irritated at all by our presence. What an impressive animal! He was very close to the fence and grazed here a few dry stalks. Sometimes he looked up. Then he looked much bigger again. His neck had a short, curly mane and his head was decorated with two horns. I would rather not see them in action.

Military Relics

There are still traces of the former military use. For example the bunker ruin at the "Great Desert" or the better preserved bunker west of the obelisk. Also smaller relics can be found along the way. This makes a hike on the Döberitzer Heide even more exciting.

Hiking on the Döberitzer Heide near Berlin

The Döberitzer Heide is divided into two areas:

• Since 2010 there is a 1,860 hectare "wilderness zone" n the middle. Among others, bisons, Przewalski horses and red deer live here. However, this zone is bordered by a triple (!) fence and reserved for nature.
• The "nature experience ring zone", which covers about 1,800 hectares, has 55 km of hiking trails, several picnic areas and an observation tower (85 metres above sea level). Here sheep and goats are the landscape gardeners.

Below on the map you can see my hiking route through the nature experience ring zone. It started at the entrance of Elstal. First I followed the circular hiking trail around the wilderness zone. It is very easy to find. Because most of the time it runs right next to the fence of the core zone. Over 22 kilometres it leads through different landscapes and you can see everything that the Döberitzer Heide has to offer. Only for the obelisk and the bunker I made a small detour.

For your orientation I can also recommend the Open Street Map. There are many details, landscape forms and paths drawn in.

When is the best Season for a Trip to the Döberitzer Heide?

Hiking on the Döberitzer Heide is always a worthwhile excursion. At any time of the year. The landscape always shows itself with a new face:

• Spring: In May the broom blossoms turn yellow and the silver grass gives the open areas a reddish shine in June.
• Summer: the flowering sand-thyme and the blooming heather colour the landscape purple. When does the heather bloom? As a rule of thumb you can easily remember: 8.8. to 9.9.
• Autumn: Now it is most beautiful in the wooded areas, as soon as the leaves of the trees have turned an autumnal colour.
• winter,: When there is snow, the wide open area north of the Döberitzer Heide is a great winter wonderland. The area is also ideal for cross-country skiing.

By Bus and Train for Hiking in the Döberitzer Heide

A trip from Berlin to the Döberitzer Heide is also easily done by public transport:

• To Elstal and Dallgow Döberitz with the regional train line RE4. The train runs hourly. From Berlin main station you need about 20 minutes. From both stations you can reach the Döberitzer Heide in about 30 minutes on foot.
• At the entrance Krampnitz (bus stop Potsdam, Krampnitzsee) the bus line 638 goes to Spandau station (about 30 minutes).
• To get to Priort, take the regional train RE4 to Wustermark and from there take the RB21 for one more stop to Priort station. Or you can take the RE4 to Elstal and from there three more stops with the bus line 662.

Conclusion about my Trip to the Döberitzer Heide

After my day trip to the Döberitzer Heide and 27 kilometres of hiking, one thing is clear: I will definitely come back! A trip to the Döberitzer Heide is worthwhile.

• The nature reserve is easy to reach by public transport, bicycle or car.
• Döberitzer Heide is not overcrowded, even on beautiful weekend days you won't meet many other hikers or bikers.
• The network of paths is well signposted and marked, there are information boards, picnic areas, benches and a lookout tower (of which, unfortunately, you don't see much).
• I found it a little bit a pity that on the circular path around the wilderness zone one always has the fence beside oneself. Good for the orientation but the experience of nature is a bit reduced.
• There is always something to see: great landscape, animals, plants. Cultural-historical relics from the time of military use make the hike even more exciting.

Important to know for cyclists: there is an asphalt cycle path only on the edge in the north of the Döberitzer Heide. Often the paths are very sandy, so that you have to push sometimes.

Book Recommendations for Trips in and around Berlin

Are you drawn to the outdoors in the countryside? Then I have a lot of tips for excursions for you (sorry - the books are all in German):

Ab ins Grüne – Ausflüge mit der Berliner S-Bahn: Rad – und Wandertouren rund um Berlin*

52 kleine & große Eskapaden in und um Berlin: Ab nach draußen!*

Auf Försters Wegen: Die schönsten Berliner Waldwanderungen*

Did you like my tips for a trip to the Döberitzer Heide? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends. Do you have any questions or suggestions? If so, please write me a comment!

Der Beitrag Döberitzer Heide – Ausflug zum alten Truppenübungsplatz bei Berlin erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.