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Typical Tourist Places >>> Home |
 The
bridge with an U-Bahn going overground
 The
waterbattle
 Festival
of Lights
 You
walk underneath the U-Bahn
  View
in the direction of Treptow
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Oberbaumbrücke The Oberbaumbrücke is
Berlin’s longest and most attractive bridge, crossing the
river Spree and connecting the districts of Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. Built in 1895, the
bridge was partly destroyed in World War II and closed for cars and
trains from 1961 to 1990 due to Eastern Germany's building the wall.
Only pedestrians with special visas were allowed to cross the border.
Since 1995, once
a year (in September) the bridge is occupied by private armies of Kreuzberg
and Friedrichshain,
fighting the so called "Waterbattle". The battle is
generally peaceful, allowed weapons are everything soft that can be
filled with water (mostly balloons), as well as fruit, vegetables, eggs
and flour-bombs. Everything that has a horrible smell also is welcome. Reason for this
battle is that the two highly individual districts have been united by
Berlin’s politicians to save money and reduce bureaucracy.
Each district claims predominance over the greater district of
"Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain". Usually the battle is won by
Friedrichshain, but this is strictly denied by the folks of Kreuzberg. During Berlin's "Festival
of Light" the bridge is wonderfully illuminated. The bridge is
one of Berlin's four places to visit on new year's eve and watch the
fireworks, the other three being Brandenburger Tor, Kreuzberg and Mauerpark. Historic details about Oberbaumbrücke: Wikipedia How to get there:
Catch the U1 somewhere and take the
train to "Warschauer Straße". Between Schlesisches Tor and Warschauer Straße the
U-Bahn is crossing the river Spree at Oberbaumbrücke. Get out
at either station and have a five-minute-walk to the bridge.
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