Alt-Tegel

Alt-Tegel, a neighborhood in Berlin's Reinickendorf district, shapes the character of the city's northwestern corner through its close connection to Lake Tegel. Historically developed as a plaza-like dead-end village that ends at the shore, the area is often linked to an early Slavic fishing village, although there is no archaeological evidence for this. The first documentary mention as the church village of Tygel dates to 1322. Today, the focus of attention is Tegel Palace, also known as Humboldt Palace, which was built in 1737 on the site of an older mayor's estate. It is closely associated with the brothers Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt, who lived here. The palace grounds invite you to take a relaxed stroll and offer a quiet contrast to the lively lakeside promenade.

In Alt-Tegel you'll find a mix of historic buildings and modern architecture. The Greenwichpromenade at Tegel Harbor is a popular excursion destination, and boats depart from here for sightseeing tours of Berlin's waterways. The Humboldt Library, an architectural highlight in the new harbor area, is also located here. Another cultural attraction is the Berlin Fire Department Museum on Veitstraße, housed in a historic building from 1911. The Alt-Tegel village church stands on the original village green above the lakeside promenade and recalls the early beginnings of the settlement. The area is also home to the Alte Waldschänke, considered Berlin's oldest inn and known for its traditional atmosphere.

Nature plays just as important a role in Tegel as history. On the Reiherwerder peninsula on the lake's western shore you'll find Villa Borsig and the Diplomatic Academy of the German Foreign Office. In the Tegel Forest stands the so-called Dicke Marie (Fat Marie), a tree about 900 years old that is considered one of the oldest in the city. The area is well connected to public transportation, including the U6 subway line and Tegel S-Bahn station. This accessibility makes Alt-Tegel an attractive destination for day trips, where cultural discoveries blend harmoniously with relaxation along the waterways and in the forest.