The Citadel Spandau

Admittedly, the Citadel Spandau, one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Europe, is not located in central Berlin but rather "way out" near Spandau's historic old town. Despite the long journey, many cheerful members gathered on November 13th, 2024 on the Citadel's bridge, having accepted the joint invitation from the groups "Palaces, Villas and Gardens" and "Architecture" to join in on an informative English-language tour that would explain the fortress’s varied history.

In fact, the origins of this fortress go back to a Slavic settlement in the 8th century. A thousand years ago, German tribes settled in this strategically important spot, where the rivers Spree and Havel meet, and built a stone fortress in the 10th and 11th centuries. Over the centuries, this fortress was continuously expanded, and in the 16th century, construction of the citadel as we know it today began.

Primarily, the citadel was used for military purposes, serving as an arsenal and prison, often for political prisoners. However, there were other stories here too. The WiB members learned that Anna Sydow, the mistress of Elector Joachim II, was imprisoned here for four years until her death. On the electors deathbed, his son, Johann Georg, had promised his father to protect Anna, but he broke this promise and instead kept her confined in the Julius Tower until her death. After she died, she was said to haunt the Hohenzollern family as the “White Lady” in revenge. Legend has it that those who saw her were certain to meet an untimely end.

In spite of this horror story the 153-step climb up the Julius Tower, where poor Anna was held, rewarded visitors with a magnificent view over Spandau's old town, stretching as far as the Teufelsberg and the TV tower at Alexanderplatz.

After the tour, held by a special guide of the Berlin Museums, Susanne led the group to the Lapidarium, where Berlin’s "statues" — remains of historic Berlin statues and monuments — could be admired. Here, one famous figure stood next to another, and Susanne explained the phrase "in die Puppen gehen" (to go far out) or "to stay out in the statues," a unique Berliner expression.

After this delightful excursion the group gathered at Café Maitresse on the Citadel grounds, where they warmed up with goulash soup, sausages, and/or delicious cakes, exchanging more stories and laughter. The unanimous verdict: The Spandau Citadel, though a bit farther out, is definitely worth a visit.