Protesters Gather at Spree's site – Select Few Display Unrest
In the heart of Berlin, Germany, over 700 people gathered for a demonstration called 'Swim Along' near Museum Island, defying a 100-year-old ban on swimming in the Spree River [1][2][3]. The event, organized by the non-profit organization Flussbad Berlin, aimed to protest against the long-standing prohibition and show that the water quality has significantly improved [1][2].
The attempts to jump into the Spree were likely due to misunderstandings about the call for the demonstration against the bathing ban. However, the incidents of people trying to swim in the Spree occurred despite the ongoing demonstrations [4].
The Senate Administration for Transport and Environment in Berlin remains skeptical about lifting the bathing ban, citing concerns about water quality and the Spree Canal and Spree being federal waterways for shipping [5]. The source of the information is ntv.de and dpa.
Several speakers at the event called for the bathing ban, decided by the Berlin magistrate in May 1925, to be lifted. Stefanie Remlinger, the district mayor of Berlin-Mitte, expressed her support for swimming in the Spree. Mathias Schulz, an SPD member of the state parliament, also spoke in favor of allowing swimming in the Spree again [6].
Kerstin Wolter, chairwoman of the Left party in Berlin, criticized the lack of capacity in public and swimming pools in the city, suggesting that reopening parts of the Spree for swimming could alleviate some of the pressure [7]. Silke Gebel, a Green party member from Mitte, also called on the Senate to lift the bathing ban [8].
The organization Flussbad Berlin has been campaigning for over a decade to allow swimming in the Spree. They cite the example of Paris, which has successfully reopened its Seine River for public swimming, as a model for Berlin [2][4]. City officials are reportedly considering opening sections of the Spree to swimmers by 2026, reflecting a shift in policy following activists’ demonstrations and improved environmental conditions [2][4].
This movement illustrates a broader urban trend toward reclaiming rivers for recreation and public use in major cities worldwide [3]. The hope is that the Spree River, once again, will become a vibrant part of Berlin's urban life, offering residents and visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy its waters.
[1] ntv.de [2] dpa [3] The Guardian [4] Berliner Zeitung [5] Berliner Morgenpost [6] Die Welt [7] Tagesspiegel [8] Der Tagesspiegel
The community and the local government are discussing the possibility of revising the outdated ban on swimming in the Spree River, considering the improvement in water quality. This debate is influenced by the lifestyle advocacy of numerous stakeholders, including politicians and activists, who envision the river as an integral part of home-and-garden and outdoor-living experiences for Berlin residents.
