Weissensee (Berlin)

Weissensee
Quarter of Berlin
The lake Weisser See
Weissensee
Coordinates
Administration
Country Germany
State Berlin
City Berlin
Borough Pankow
Basic statistics
Area 7.93 km2 (3.06 sq mi)
Elevation 90 m  (295 ft)
Population 45,485  (30 June 2008)
 - Density 5,736 /km2 (14,856 /sq mi)
Founded 1313
Other information
Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate B
Postal codes (nr. 0302) 13086, 13088

Weissensee is a locality in the borough of Pankow in Berlin, Germany, named for the small lake Weißer See (White Lake) within it. Before Berlin's 2001 administrative reform, Weissensee was a borough in its own right, consisting of the localities of Weissensee, Heinersdorf, Blankenburg, Karow and Stadtrandsiedlung Malchow.

History

Weissensee was first mentioned in 1313 as Wittense. The first settlers subsisted on fishing and established themselves on the eastern shore of the lake, where an old trade route connected Berlin with Szczecin (Stettin) and the Baltic Sea - today the Bundesstraße 2 federal highway.

As Berlin's least inhabited district, it has been overshadowed historically by its neighboring boroughs Prenzlauer Berg and Pankow. However its popularity is increasing due to its proximity to the hip but expensive Prenzlauer Berg. Its trams make reaching Mitte very convenient.

Overview

Weissensee is appreciated as a good choice for people seeking for a balance between urban life and seclusion in a peaceful district of Berlin. The immediate area around the lake Weißer See is characterized by its historical architecture, numerous places of interest, parks, lakes and activities. The art school Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weissensee is of national rank. The Radrennbahn Weissensee cycling track has also hosted popular music concerts. At Weißensee Cemetery, one of Europe's largest Jewish cemeteries, notable people like the painter Lesser Ury and the publishers Samuel Fischer and Rudolf Mosse are buried.

External links

Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Berlin-Wei%C3%9Fensee Weissensee] at Wikimedia Commons