Das 32. Internationale Müggelseeschwimmen

The Müggelsee is a vast, calm basin born from the slow retreat of glaciers during the Pleistocene epoch. As you stroke through its water, you are essentially navigating a colossal kettle hole, a depression carved deep into the earth by the Weichselian ice sheet. This origin gives the lake its characteristic, expansive feel, where the horizon often blurs into the sky. While local lore—famously parodied in the comedy 'Hai-Alarm am Müggelsee'—jokingly suggests the presence of sharks, the only real inhabitants you will encounter are the local freshwater species typical of Berlin’s waterways.

Landmarks from the water

Navigating the lake is a lesson in regional history, as several prominent structures loom over the shoreline, serving as your natural navigation markers. To the south, the Müggelturm rises from the Kleiner Müggelberg, a successor to an 1889 original that vanished in a fire. As you push forward, you may spot the base of the Berlin-Müggelberge TV Tower. Although its primary construction ceased in 1955 due to flight path restrictions near the airport, its silhouette remains a persistent relic of a Cold War era when it served as a covert listening post. Closer to the northern bank, the industrial character of the lake reveals itself through the Friedrichshagen waterworks. Built between 1889 and 1899, this complex is an industrial marvel that still sustains the city by drawing water from deep subterranean wells fed by the lake’s own bank filtrate.

Race day at the lake

Organized by the Turngemeinde in Berlin 1848 e.V., the Internationale Müggelseeschwimmen maintains a legacy of endurance that mirrors the history of water sports in the nearby Langer See, which once hosted the rowing and canoeing events during the 1936 Summer Olympics. The event is held annually in mid-July, providing a mid-summer challenge for those drawn to the capital's largest lake. The logistics are managed with the precision expected of a club with such deep roots in the city, ensuring that the course remains clear for swimmers while respecting the lake’s function as a vital natural resource. It is a rare opportunity to traverse a body of water that has been at the center of Berlin’s recreational and industrial life for over a century.