By Johannes Malinowski
Under the Spandau Pavement lies the history of the district, which is far older than Berlin itself!
During construction work on the music school in the old town, walls of the old Moritz church were uncovered – a sensation! The church was first mentioned in 1461 – about 260 years after it was probably built around 1200. This makes the Moritzkirche the oldest church in Berlin. The Nikolaikirche in Mitte was not built until 1230.
Spandau was first mentioned in a document in 1197. (Berlin 1244, the sister city Cölln 1237). The inner walls of the 30 meter long church are 1.20 meters thick.
“You didn’t build a building like that in a few years back then,” says City Councilor Thorsten Schatz (40, CDU). “It’s quite possible that Spandau’s history will soon have to be rewritten.”
City councilor Thorsten Schatz (right) with archaeologist Thorsten Dressler Photo: Spandau district office/Carsten Asaël
The condition of the walls is remarkably good. According to the archaeologists, the finds are so rich that a 3D model of the church could be created. Treasure: “We found more than 50 stones, from which the archway was built at the time.” They were brought to the citadel, where they could be rebuilt one day.
The valuable finds were originally supposed to be filled in after the construction work was completed. The district office has now stopped that. Instead, archaeologists should first examine the excavations closely.
“We’re hoping to find coins or seals or human remains that will tell us exactly what time we’re moving in,” says Schatz. The Senate and the State Monuments Office have already pledged their support.
A ribbed stone from the old Moritz church Photo: Spandau district office/Carsten Asaël
The Moritzkirche on the corner of Jüdenstrasse and Charlottenstrasse was desecrated in 1806 and used for military purposes until 1920. Demolition and construction of houses followed.
The find is already a win for the district. Schatz: “Perhaps we can present the find to the public on a permanent basis, for example as an archaeological window.”
After all, the people of Spandau are very proud of their history.