Historischer Hafen Berlin (1298)

Barges Built Berlin.
For centuries, waterways were the most important transport routes to and from Berlin. Traditional steam tugs, historic barges, and nostalgic passenger boats moored at the historic harbor near the Mühlendamm Lock evoke this history. This location is the historic core of Berlin, which in medieval times was a mere island in the Spree. The city was first mentioned in written sources in 1244. The harbor first appeared in a charter in 1298. It was closely connected to the city’s development and is the source of the saying, “Barges built Berlin.” Around 1900, loads of bricks so desperately needed for residential buildings were brought from Brandenburg to Berlin by steam tugs and barges. Coal was shipped from Lusatia and Silesia to the energy-hungry metropolis. Today, the harbor is run by around 100 volunteers from the Berlin-Brandenburg Schifffahrtsgesellschaft e.V., a society devoted to local shipping history. They maintain the historic boats and organize events. Proceeds from the Lotto Foundation are currently being used to revamp the exhibitions and information boards. Future plans include reopening the restaurant boat and creating a terrace along the lock to provide more space for visitors on Fischerinsel.

Tip: There is an exhibition in the cargo hold of the barge “Renate Angelika.”Steamboat cruises mark the beginning and end of the season. Historic steamboats take passengers to Köpenick and back. historischer-hafen-berlin.de

Historical ships and tugboats lying on the Spree Canal.
More information: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historischer_Hafen_Berlin

Nice place for a coffee break.