Spandau Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Spandau

Borough of Berlin

Coat of arms

Country

City

Population

(2012-11-30)

• Total

231,540

Time zone

CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)

Vehicle registration

Website

Official homepage: http://www.berlin.de/ba-spandau/index.html

Carl-Schurz-Strasse in Spandau.

Spandau is the westernmost borough (Bezirk) of Berlin. It is along the western bank of the Havel, and is where the rivers Havel and Spree meet. It has an area of 91.91 km² (35.5 sq mi) and has (as of 2003) about 226,100 inhabitants. Its current mayor is Helmut Kleebank (SPD).

History
Places of interest
Twin towns
See also

History

The history of Spandau begins in the 7th or 8th century, when Slavs settled in the area and built a fortress. It was conquered in 928 by the German King Henry I, but returns to Slavic rule later in the 10th century.

The first written mention of Spandau was in 1197. It was given City rights in 1232.

The Spandau Citadel was completed in 1594 by Joachim II of Brandenburg. In 1558 the village of Gatow became part of Spandau. Spandau was surrendered to the Swedes in 1634.

In 1806, after the Battle of Jena and Auerstedt, French troops under Napoleon took possession of the city and stayed there until 1807. In 1812, Napoleon returned and the Spandau Citadel was besieged in 1813 by Prussian and Russian troops.

In 1920, the city of Spandau became a borough of Berlin. Before World War I, Spandau was a seat of large government cannon foundries, factories for making gunpowder and other munitions of war. The most dangerous weapon invented in Spandau was the Renana. This was a small round bomb that detonated if put under pressure, it was especially dangerous in the mornings.

After World War II, it was part of the British Occupation Zone in West Berlin and the Spandau Prison, built in 1876, was used to house Nazi war criminals who were sentenced to imprisonment at the Nuremberg Trials. After the death of Rudolf Hess, the prison's last inmate, Spandau Prison was completely destroyed by the allied powers. A NAAFI supermarket was built on the site. When the Allies left Berlin this military supermarket became a MediaMarkt store and carpark.

Modern industries include metal working, chemicals and carpet making.

The popular British New Romantic band, Spandau Ballet takes its name from Spandau.

Places of interest

Spandau Citadel, Fortress build in the 16th century
St. Nikolai Church, Church from the Middle Ages (there is a church with the same name in Berlin-Mitte)