Eichwalde is located in the Brandenburg district of Dahme-Spreewald directly on the border with Berlin-Köpenick and is the smallest municipality in Brandenburg with an area of only 2.8 km² . After our visit to neighbouring Schmöckwitz, we ended the weekend with a walk through Eichwalde.
The municipality of Eichwalde borders not only on the Berlin district of Schmöckwitz, but also on Zeuthen to the south and Schulzendorf to the west. All the surrounding municipalities border Eichwalde in such a way that the transitions within the village are fluid. For example, we crossed the “border” between Berlin and Brandenburg several times during our walk and only noticed it because town signs kept appearing in front of us.
The place, then still called Rahdelandt, was first mentioned in 1673. At that time it must have been a tax-free estate. Around 1801, there is said to have been a dairy in the village and a bürdner and three households lived there. Little by little the village grew. In 1893 the village was renamed Eichwalde and the number of inhabitants continued to grow. There was a lot of building work and some of the buildings can still be seen on a tour today.
A stroll through Eichwalde
We just started walking and took a long walk through the village. You can see the exact route on the map.
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We started near the village church in Alt-Schmöckwitz. In 1798/99, the present village church was built on the foundations of the old wooden church.
Almost imperceptibly, we made our way from Schmöckwitz to Eichwalde. I would like to briefly introduce some of the really beautiful places along our route.
Eichwalde water tower
Built in 1912, a 44-metre-high brick tower stands in Eichwalde. The tower with its steel tank inside could store 300 m³ of water and was in operation until the Second World War. It supplied the community and the surrounding villages with water.
After the war, it was no longer used and fell into disrepair. Today it is converted into a residential building.
Old fire station
The Alte Feuerwache (Old Fire Station) dates from the Wilhelminian period and is now the cultural centre of the community. Exhibitions, concerts, readings and other artistic and cultural events take place here.
Eichwalde church
In 1902, Empress Auguste Viktoria took over the protectorate of the new church to be built in Eichwalde. The Protestant church was built from 1906-1908 according to the plans of the architect Carl Zaar. On the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone, the factory owner Hugo Hoffmann (Sarotti chocolates) was given his honorary citizenship, which had been decided on 7.9.1906. On 12.8.1907 there was the topping-out ceremony of the 47 m high tower.
The world’s only surviving Parabrahm organ, built by Friedrich Weigle, is said to be worth seeing in the church. A Parabrahm organ is an instrument that was built according to a specially invented system. In addition to high-pressure pipes, the harmonium built into the organ is characteristic.
As we walked past the beautiful building, an open air service was taking place.
Bruno Taut Estate in Eichwalde
Eichwalde is home to a housing estate designed by the well-known architect and urban planner Bruno Taut. The architect is a representative of the New Building movement and is best known for the Berlin Hufeisensiedlung. With his buildings, he wanted to offer workers an alternative to the backyard flats in the tenement blocks.
The housing estate on Waldstraße was built in 1923-27 on behalf of the publishing house “Courier” of the German Transport Association.
He had 9 houses built around a newly constructed cul-de-sac in the first construction phase. A residential block followed some time later as the second construction phase. He adapted the character of the buildings to the villa suburb. Corners, plinths, entrances and upper finishes were framed with clinker bricks.
The first residents of the new settlement were mainly functionaries of the trade union and the SPD.
Unfortunately, the different ownership structures after the Second World War and the lack of knowledge on the subject of monument protection have changed the external architecture of the individual houses. The settlement is therefore not listed.
St.-Antonius-Church
The Catholic church was built in 1913. It stands on Romanusplatz and forms the prominent end of Grünauer Straße at the settlement core of Eichwalde.
The tower is 33 m high and rises as an important landmark in the village.
Way back through Zeuthen
During the walk, we arrived, without realising it, in the neighbouring municipality of Zeuthen, which adjoins Eichwalde without any transition. Here we passed two interesting places before heading back to our car.
Democracy Square
In Zeuthen you will find a memorial stone for members of the International Brigades who fought against the Hitler-backed fascists in the Spanish Civil War. This stands on the Platz der Demokratie (Democracy Square).
Chinese Garden
The Chinese garden we discovered on our walk is also located in the neighbouring community of Zeuthen. The aim of Chinese garden design is to achieve harmony of the seven elements: earth, sky, stones, water, buildings, paths and plants. Here, man can achieve perfect harmony. The small garden is a beautiful place. Here you can let your soul dangle and enjoy the tranquillity.
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