At the edge of where Tempelhof and Neukölln meet, a colossal iron relic stands as a stark reminder of the city’s turbulent past. Known as the Vaubeka Crane, this industrial titan once symbolized resilience during a crisis.
I accidentally discovered this lost place in November 2024 while on a bike ride from Südkreuz to Neukölln. I think I was distracted, made a wrong turn somewhere, and didn’t want to go back, so I just continued the bike ride.
When I stopped at a traffic light, I saw a massive crane in the corner of my eye, and I didn’t know what it was. The traffic light turned green, and I cycled to where I could see a hole in a fence. From there, I could see that this used to be a parking lot and that there was an abandoned crane next to the Teltow Canal.
I took some pictures that day and decided to come back over the weekend with my drone, which is where most photos here come from. When I returned home from this first encounter, I started searching online about this abandoned Vaubeka crane, which I found quite interesting.
The history of the Vaubeka Crane starts with a City Under Siege.
Can you picture Berlin in the frigid winter of 1948/49? The city was divided and covered in debris from the Second World War, with West Berlin cut off from vital supplies by land and water.
The city’s survival depended on a lifeline from the sky – the Berlin Airlift. Allied planes delivered food, fuel, and other essentials to the besieged city.
This is where the Vaubeka Crane entered the picture.
The Vaubeka Crane towers over the Teltow Canal, a crucial waterway for transporting goods into Berlin. It was built in 1935 for the United Berlin Coal Dealers by Vereinigte Berliner Kohlenhandels (VAUBEKA). Its task during the airlift was monumental—to quickly unload precious coal flown in from nearby Tempelhof Airport.
Planes flew coal to Berlin, and it was delivered to the Vaubeka crane that transferred tons of coal daily to ships that would go around West Berlin. This coal was desperately needed to heat homes and keep the city’s heart beating.
The crane moved remarkably efficiently, capable of unloading 500 tons of coal from planes to ships, trains, or trucks in a single shift. It was critical in ensuring the coal supply reached West Berlin’s citizens, helping them weather the harsh winter and ultimately survive the blockade.
But the Vaubeka Crane isn’t just a historical artifact; it’s a marvel of engineering. Its towering framework and massive loading bridge could move across a vast 233-meter track, enabling it to service a large area. Every inch of its design was carefully calculated to maximize efficiency.
Today, the Vaubeka Crane sits idle, and it hasn’t been used since 1991, which is a rusting testament to its past. It reminds us of Berlin’s industrial roots and symbolizes the city’s extraordinary determination to overcome adversity.
When I went to the area to take pictures of the crane, the entire area was surprisingly empty. Maybe it’s because I was there on a cold November day. Perhaps it was because few people passed this former industrial area between Neükolln and Tempelhof.
Either way, this area won’t be empty for long since signs inform the neighborhood that construction work will start soon. The entire area will become the Food Campus Berlin. According to some sketch images on their website, the Vaubeka crane will be preserved and integrated into the architectural plan, which I found extremely interesting.
If you are keen to explore the past of Berlin before it gets torn down, you should add the Vaubeka Crane to your Berlin itinerary.
The Vaubeka crane is a fascinating piece of the city’s past, waiting to be rediscovered. If you’re a history buff or enjoy exploring off-the-beaten-path spots, this might also be the place for you. But don’t be a piece of trash and ruin this location for the rest of us; keep it as you found it.
From Industrial Workhorse to Historic Landmark: The Vaubeka Crane Story
Teilestraße 3
12099 Berlin
