A historical view of the Prinzenallee in Wedding Photo: picture alliance / arkivi
By Oliver Ohmann
150 years ago, the spa became a typical working-class district.
The village “Weddinge” on the river “Pankowe” was first mentioned in 1251. The name derives from an old German tribe, the “Uaten”. It all started small and tranquil – but then!
Around 300 years ago, a mineral spring was discovered on the Panke. The Luisenbad became a popular destination for Berliners. However, this “fountain of health” fell victim to industrialization in the 19th century. Since then, Panke has rhymed with stench.
Then the year 1861. Wedding and Gesundbrunnen now belonged to Berlin – and the proverbial working-class district came into being. By 1920 the population had grown from 25,000 to 337,000!
A view of a typical working-class apartment on Badstrasse in Wedding in 1917 Photo: picture-alliance / akg-images
Reason: Masses of industrial companies moved to Wedding. Wedding was conveniently located on rails and waterways. The chimneys of the factories turned the former spa into a huge industrial area.
The army of factory workers lived with their families in the notorious “tenement barracks”. They were dark, damp and crowded. Pitiful conditions in up to six backyards. Up to 2000 people lived in 300 apartments in “Meyers Hof”!
Today’s view over the rooftops of Wedding with Chausseestrasse and the BND building in the background Photo: picture alliance / picture agency online
Wedding got the reputation of a poor and criminal colony. Heinrich Zille found many of his motifs here and recorded the “Milljöh” with his pen. People voted on the left in the “Roten Wedding”, corner pubs, cinemas and Hertha provided variety. In her heyday she played in the stadium on Plumpe, on the corner of Bellermannstrasse and Behmstrasse. It was demolished in 1974.
Much is gray in Wedding, but there is also green in the arbors and parks. Wedding is a tough place, but it also has many charming faces.