Berliner Stadtmauer

Berlin's medieval city wall enclosed the twin cities of Berlin and Kölln and, from the 12th century on, protected them against external threats. The fortifications initially consisted of ramparts, palisades, and moats, before a wall of fieldstone was built around 1250. In the 13th century, this structure was reinforced with brick and raised to a height of up to five meters, complemented by towers, arrow slits, and wiekhäuser (small defensive houses built into the wall). In the 15th century, wide moats and an earthen rampart were added to strengthen the defenses further. The Spree formed the natural boundary between the two halves of the city, so no wall was built between them.

The fortifications had several important gates, including the Spandau, Oderberg, and Stralau Gates on the Berlin side and the Köpenick and Gertraud Gates on the Kölln side. Over time, the medieval structure fell into disrepair and was torn down in the 17th century to make room for a new fortress with bastions. That, in turn, was razed in 1734, when a customs wall enclosed the growing city area anew. Today, only a few traces recall the original wall. A preserved section between Litten- and Waisenstraße, which served as a boundary wall for residential buildings, was secured in 1948 and is a protected historic monument.