Spandau Citadel

The Spandau Citadel (Zitadelle Spandau) is one of the best-preserved Italian Renaissance fortresses in Europe and a rewarding day trip within Berlin. It sits at the confluence of the Havel and Spree rivers in the city's west, far from the usual tourist center. Inside the brick walls you will find a city history museum, an exhibition of Berlin monuments called "Enthüllt" (Unveiled), a 30-meter tower you can climb, and one of Europe's most important winter roosts for bats.

A fortress built around four bastions

The citadel was built between 1559 and 1594 around a medieval castle, whose keep (the Juliusturm) and residential building (the Palas) survive. Francesco Chiaramella de Gandino drew the plans, and Rochus Graf zu Lynar took over in 1578. The symmetrical layout has four bastions linked by walls, a hallmark of Italian fortress design that leaves no blind spots for attackers.

Over the centuries the fortress served as a garrison and a prison. It surrendered to Napoleon's forces without a fight in 1806, was retaken by Prussia in 1813, and was captured by the Soviet army in 1945. Prisoners included Eberhard Danckelmann and Friedrich Ludwig Jahn. The Juliusturm was damaged by fire in 1813, and Karl Friedrich Schinkel designed its new battlements.

What to see

• Juliusturm: about 30 meters (98 feet) tall with 153 steps, offering views across the citadel and the Havel; entry is included in the ticket
• "Enthüllt" exhibition: statues and monuments that disappeared from Berlin's public spaces
• Spandau city history museum: the story of Spandau in historic buildings
• Bastions and ramparts: a walk around the walls shows the scale of the fortress
• Bats: the vaults host one of Europe's major winter bat roosts

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

According to the operator, the citadel is open Friday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Hours can change for concerts and events. Admission is 4.50 euros (reduced 2.50 euros, family ticket 10 euros), and children under six get in free. The price includes the museums, the Juliusturm, and the exhibitions. According to Museumsportal Berlin, admission is free on almost every first Sunday of the month, and public guided tours run on weekends at 2 p.m. Check the special opening hours before you go.

Getting there

The address is Am Juliusturm 64, 13599 Berlin. Take the U7 to Zitadelle station (step-free) or bus X33. S-Bahn lines S3 and S9 stop at Spandau station, and the trip from central Berlin takes about 30 minutes. A single Berlin ticket for zones AB covers the ride, and the Deutschlandticket is valid. Parking is available nearby, and the site lies outside Berlin's low-emission zone.

Accessibility and families

Several buildings are wheelchair accessible, including the Provisions Depot, Old Barracks, Arsenal, and Crown Prince Gallery, and there are accessible toilets. The tower is reached by stairs only. Children enjoy the ramparts and the tower.

Nearby

• Spandau Old Town with St. Nicholas Church and its market square
• Havel riverside paths