Berlin-Treptow

Alt-Treptow is a historic neighborhood in Berlin's Treptow-Köpenick district and is considered one of the two places the district takes its name from. Its settlement history reaches back to the 6th or 7th century, when Slavs first settled the area permanently. The name probably derives from Slavic words for deciduous wood or water and originally referred to a fishing settlement on a branch of the river rich in fish. Over the centuries, the place grew from a small outlying farm with a fisherman's house into a significant colony, which by the 18th century was characterized by coffeehouses, breweries, and excursion restaurants. The clearing of the neighboring Köllnische Heide in the early 19th century made room for new development and turned the area into a popular destination for Berliners, who spent their free time here in parks and along the Spree.

Today, Alt-Treptow is a lively neighborhood that blends its industrial past with modern uses. You can discover traces of the former industry in protected factory complexes, such as the Agfa building on Jordanstrasse or the renovated halls of the former agricultural machinery factory, which now serve as the event venue Arena Berlin. A particular highlight is Treptower Park, which is home to the Soviet War Memorial, an important historic site. The Treptow harbor on the Spree also invites you to take a boat trip. The neighborhood is well connected to the transportation network, with Treptower Park station on the Ringbahn serving as the central hub for public transit.

The history of the place is also marked by the division of Berlin. The Berlin Wall ran along the Landwehr Canal and separated Alt-Treptow from the western districts of Kreuzberg and Neukölln. Today, a few surviving watchtowers and the stories of escape attempts recall this era. Since reunification, the look of the neighborhood has changed, with new residential buildings such as the Treptowers, which serve as a landmark, and a revitalized center with shopping options. Alt-Treptow thus combines its rich history as an excursion destination and industrial site with a modern urban character.