Plötzensee (lake)

Infobox_lake
lake_name = Plötzensee
image_lake = PloetzenseeBeach.jpg
caption_lake = Bathing beach
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Berlin-Wedding
coords = coord|52|32|39|N|13|19|49|E|type:waterbody_region:DE|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = Germany
length =
width =
area = 7.7 ha
depth =
max-depth = 5.5 m
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation =
islands =
cities =

Plötzensee (IPA2|'plœtsənze:) is a lake in Berlin with an area of 7.7 ha and a depth of 5.5 m. It is to be found in the Rehberge public park in the former borough of Wedding (now part of Berlin-Mitte).

Plötzensee is named after the roach, "Plötze" being one name for this fish in German. The lake teems with roach. The lake is part of a chain of lakes stretching from the northeast to the Spree valley, formed in the last ice age. Until 1443 the St. Marien convent in Spandau had the rights to the lake, but these were eventually assumed by the Prussian treasury. In 1817, the city of Berlin bought the lake and leased the rights to the shoreline and fishing.

Over the years, there have been an army sporting ground, a swimming pool, a man-made beach (photo), an inn, and conversion into a public park, but Plötzensee is probably best known for its old Plötzensee Prison, built nearby in the 19th century, which reached its height of notoriety in the time of Nazi Germany.

External links

* [http://www.berliner-stadtplan.com/?gps=3723%7C4624&size=500x400&zoom=100&style=&map.x=224&map.y=198 Interactive map showing Plötzensee on the upper right, and the memorial in the centre.]