BERLIN DREAMS OF SWIMMING IN THE SPREE AGAIN: RIVER COULD BE SWIMMABLE AFTER 100 YEARS

Berlin, Germany – A century after swimming was banned due to severe pollution, Berliners are rediscovering their desire to dip into the Spree River. On Tuesday, around 200 people took a symbolic swim in the greenish waters of the river, right in the heart of the Mitte district, near the famous Museum Island.

This was more than just a symbolic gesture; it was a formal protest organized by the group Fluss Bad Berlin, which has been actively campaigning for years to reopen the river for swimming.

A Century-Old Ban Challenged

"A century has passed, and we can prove that the water quality, during the season, is sufficient to allow swimming," stated Jan Edler, a board member of the group, as he watched participants dive in from the canal surrounding the island. The event was registered as an official protest to circumvent the still-active ban.

The proposal has received encouraging signals from authorities. Ephraim Gothe, city councilor for Berlin's central district, expressed optimism about a possible reopening in 2026, though he emphasized that several issues still need to be clarified.

Drawing Inspiration from European Cities

Berlin's initiative draws inspiration from other European cities where waterways have already been made accessible. Paris reopened the Seine for the Olympic Games, and citizens will be able to swim freely in it this summer. In Vienna, the Danube Canal is swimmable, as is the Rhine in Basel, while Amsterdam offers designated areas for swimming in its canals.

In Berlin, however, the ban has been in effect since May 1925, when historic river pools were closed due to pollution. Today, water quality is generally good, except during heavy rainfall which can cause sewage overflows.

The project proposes opening a nearly two-kilometer stretch without boat traffic, mitigating the risks posed by vessels. However, to make access possible, restrictions on historical monuments that prevent the construction of ladders or platforms will need to be revised.

With a population of 3.9 million and increasingly high summer temperatures, Berlin desperately needs spaces to cool off. Public swimming pools are often overcrowded, and the river could become an accessible and sustainable alternative.

"Cities are getting hotter and hotter. We need to offer alternatives for those who cannot leave the city," Edler concluded. "It's a matter of environmental justice, as well as pleasure."

What are your thoughts on cities reclaiming their urban waterways for public use?