Halbinsel Schildhorn
Once the No. 1 destination in Berlin
The Peninsula was once one of the most popular day trip destinations in Berlin. People gathered here, met with friends, and enjoyed the good cuisine or brought their own food and drinks here – all that was allowed back in the 19th century.
The Peninsula juts out a mere 500 metres into the Havel, but this little area has a lot to offer: The shoreline trail invites you on a relaxing stroll with a view of the water at all times. Arriving at the tip, you can take a dip or tan on the sandy beach. Use the lawn for a break amongst the greenery.
Directly behind it is Berlin’s second oldest water rescue station. A forest playground can be reached along the Jürgenlanke. The hill located here, which formed in the Ice Age, can be climbed via a set of stairs. Having reached the top, you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Havel and Wilhelmstadt in Spandau. This is also the location of the Jaczo Monument, the exciting tale of which – about Albert the Bear and the fleeing Jaczo – can be read on a plaque. The monument was drafted by renowned architect Friedrich August Stüler in 1844, and constructed from sandstone by master builder Christian Gottlieb Cantian – the same builder behind the Granitschale in the Lustgarten.
After this relaxing stroll, you can take a ferry a little further south to small Lindwerder Island. Or you can climb atop the Karlsberg and, from the Grunewaldturm, enjoy a stunning view of the Havel and Wannsee.
By the way: The name Schildhorn dates back to 16th-century documents, and likely stems from a translation of the Slavic name for a body of water, “Schild” (“shield”), and the Middle Low German word “Horn” (“headland”).