Spreepark - the Cursed Berlin Theme Park

In the heart of Berlin, nestled within the enchanting Plänterwald forest, lies a place that was once a beacon of joy and entertainment—Spreepark. The story of this amusement park, however, is far from ordinary. From its inception to its current state of eerie abandonment, Spreepark has been shrouded in mystery, scandal, and urban legends that rival the most chilling of tales.

Spreepark's journey began in 1969 when it was inaugurated as "Kulturpark Plänterwald" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), also known as East Germany. Situated on a sprawling 29.5-hectare area along the River Spree, it became the GDR's only permanent amusement park.

Unlike many Western theme parks, Spreepark embraced simplicity in design, with funfair rides and side stalls akin to those found at fairs. Its iconic Ferris wheel, known for its distinctiveness, was pictured in countless photographs.

During its heyday, Spreepark drew up to 1.7 million visitors annually, offering a unique escape into a world of fun for East German citizens. And in 1991, when the Berlin fall and reunification happened, people from West Berlin could come down to Spreepark and have some fun too!

Norbert Witte - the Controversial Spreepark Owner

But reunification meant the profit motive, and in 1991, Spreepark's ownership took a fateful turn. Norbert Witte, a showman with a chequered past, acquired the park. Unknown to the authorities, Witte had been involved in a tragic accident at a fair in Hamburg in 1981, resulting in seven deaths and multiple injuries after a crane fell on to a thrill ride called the Skylab - Witte had been trying to remove a defective gear on a rollercoaster when his crane fell into its flight path.

Witte was found guilty of reckless homicide, given a suspended sentence, and forbidden from working on fairgrounds - but the reunified German government missed out on this and awarded him the Spreepark contract. Witte was also the victim of arson attacks that appeared to have been motivated by revenge for this crime.

However, Witte was a clever operator, and became an important supporter of German's political parties and an avid campaigner for them in elections, ensuring that local authorities had plenty of trust in him.

Witte's tenure at Spreepark was marked by financial struggles, leading him to explore new horizons. In a bizarre turn of events, he transported six Spreepark attractions to Lima, Peru, in shipping containers, hoping to create "Lunapark" while telling his employees he merely was removing them for maintenance. However, this venture, too, ended in bankruptcy. Even darker shadows loomed as Witte was convicted of attempting to smuggle 167 kg of cocaine from Peru to Germany, which he had hidden in one of his dismantled funfair rides!

Spreepark Today

By 2002, Spreepark's financial woes had escalated to insurmountable levels, leading to its closure. The park's debts amounted to a staggering 11,000,000 euros, leaving a once-vibrant wonderland to wither in neglect. Security personnel now guard the park, protecting its dilapidated structures and overgrown paths.

In the midst of this desolation, guided tours offered intrepid visitors a glimpse into the park's history, unravelling tales of its heyday and the enigmatic Norbert Witte. These tours provided a unique opportunity to explore the abandoned grounds and hear the park's haunting stories.

But the curse of Spreepark was not finished by its closure! A devastating fire engulfed Spreepark on the night of August 10th, 2014, reducing iconic structures to ashes. The Old England backdrop, the unfinished dinosaur ride station, the shooting gallery, the arcade, and the dismantled circus tent all fell victim to the inferno.

Today, the remnants of Spreepark stand as a testament to its tumultuous history. The Ferris wheel was dismantled in 2021, but there are still plenty of rides and attractions remaining, making it a popular destination for Berlin's urban explorers.

Of course, there are no Norbert Witte characters at We Are Tricycle! Expect nothing but the highest professionalism with us. Why not read some of our funfair myths, tall tales and urban legends, or host your own fairground by checking out all our products for hire?