Travelettes » Berlin’s urban legend

Berlin’s urban legend – Spreepark

Written by guest 30 May 2011 4 Comments

The Travelettes have been writing together for quite some time and during an evening at our Berlin-based Travelettes office we figured it was about time that we went on a small excursion together. When Yvonne from Just Travelous revealed that the abandoned entertainment park Spreepark would be opened for the public this weekend, it was an opportunity we couldn’t miss out on. Since it closed its doors in 2001 the park has become an urban legend in Berlin. It is one of those places you should know about but probably only dream about visiting.

A couple of years ago I considered breaking in, but as the wimp lawful citizen I am, I never had the curage to go through with my plan. Admiring the ferris wheel and dinosaur statues from a distance, I was hoping to one day have the possibility to enter this magic place. Feeling a bit like Alice in Wonderland, I was pretty exited when the Travelettes met up for a day of fun.

Nina getting exited about the opening

With the Hau Outdoor program, the Theatre Hebbel-Am-Ufer, welcomed the public to four days of Lunapark Berlin – Burn Out Spreezone, filling the abandoned park with life once again. Concerts, art installations, performances and a burning man were just some of the things we saw. Have a look at the pictures Nina and I took for you!

Spreepark was supposed to become the biggest entertainment park and playground in Germany when the owner, Norbert Witte, went bankrupt in 2002. In chaos, broke and out of business, the Witte family moved to Peru. In order to get the finances back on track, he and his 20-year-old son started smuggling cocaine to Europe. After being caught with 180 kg of cocaine in a merry-go-round called the Flying Carpet back in Berlin, his son was condemned to 20 years of prison in Peru, and Norbert himself got 6 years in Germany. Whether him and his Spreepark will ever have a comeback, remains to be seen. Meanwhile you can find information about the park here. I heard rumors that guided tours are available during the weekend for about 10 euros. If you happen to know how this works, let us know!

The Travelettes had a magic day in Spreepark wonderland, despite the lack of rides with the Flying Carpet!

Kathrine Opshaug Bakke, editor at Travelettes from 2009 to 2013, wrote this post. Originating from Norway, she has been living in Berlin, Lisbon, and Stockholm the past 6 years.

She loves cities with imperfect facades, photography, traveling by bike, vintage hunting, and everything that comes with cheese. Follow her visual diary at anchoredpaperplane.com.

Tags: fun, personal experiences, spreepark

4 Comments »

ebe said:

Nooooooo! I’ve always thought about heading out there, and now I’ve missed an open weekend. Sigh.
Really great pics, thanks for sharing. Glad I at least got a look at it through your eyes.

# 30 May 2011 at 3:12 am

alfredo said:

nice, nice, nice!!!

# 31 May 2011 at 4:01 pm

Nina said:

Ebe, I think it might be open again this weekend.

http://www.gratis-in-berlin.de/tipp/2004549

# 9 June 2011 at 1:46 am

Finding Beauty In Your Own Backyard ... In My Case, Berlin! | cherylhoward.com said:

[...] In May 2010, Tempelhof, an old airport was opened as a park. There’s even an abandoned amusement park, Spree Park which opens from time-to-time for festivals or public [...]

# 6 October 2011 at 2:31 am