Berlin Marks Century of Swimming Ban with Symbolic Protest

Berlin's Spree River has been off-limits for swimming in the city center for a century, a ban that has sparked significant public outcry. In a bold move, activists from the Flussbad Berlin organization are set to stage a water-based protest on May 20, marking the 100th anniversary of the swimming prohibition.

The protest, dubbed "Call it a Demo, we call it Badespaß," aims to raise awareness about the ongoing restrictions against swimming in the Spree, despite the fact that many other European cities--including Amsterdam, Basel, and Copenhagen--allow swimming in their urban waterways.

The ban originated in 1925 when the Berlin magistrate ordered the closure of all river swimming facilities due to concerns over water quality and hygiene. However, the Flussbad Berlin organization has been advocating for the reopening of swimming areas in the Spree, notably pushing for a public swimming space next to the Humboldt Forum.

Jan Edler, a founding member of the organization, expressed optimism regarding the current water quality, stating that it is feasible to swim in the Spree without the need for extensive filtration systems. The group has proposed a monitoring system to inform users when it is safe to swim, suggesting that the barriers to swimming may be less significant than previously thought.

Edler emphasized that the primary issue is not about constructing new facilities but rather establishing a legal framework that permits swimming activities. "Aside from having lifeguards, we do not need to build anything new; we just need to create the legal conditions to allow swimming," he stated.

Despite these advocacy efforts, the Berlin Senate's Department of Transportation and Environment remains cautious about the prospect of lifting the swimming ban. The Spree and the adjacent Spreekanal are classified as federal shipping routes, which complicates any changes to the regulatory framework. Additionally, the area is subject to historical preservation laws, which add another layer of complexity to the discussion.

Furthermore, safety regulations dictate that swimming is prohibited within 100 meters of bridges, which are prevalent in the area. The environmental authorities have also raised concerns regarding water quality, particularly following heavy rain, as the river can become contaminated with various pollutants. Ongoing scientific studies are being conducted to assess the water quality, but the results have yet to be finalized, leaving the suitability of the Spree for swimming uncertain.

The call for change is gaining momentum as more people advocate for the right to swim in the city's rivers, reflecting a growing desire for urban waterfronts to be accessible for recreational activities. Activists hope that their demonstration will catalyze a shift in public policy regarding the use of urban waterways for swimming.