Wassertorplatz

The Wassertorplatz in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg is named after the historic Wassertor and is located about 200 meters west of the Kottbusser Tor.

The square is named after the historic no longer existing water gate which was built during the 1848–1852 construction of the Luisenstadt Canal (Luisenstädtischer Kanal).

Ships entering the city on the canal had to check their goods and clear customs at the lockable gate in the form of an iron grate.

Within the customs and excise wall, the canal expanded directly at the water gate to form the Thorbecken or Wassertorbecken.

Between 1926 and 1928, the landscaper architect Erwin Barth redesigned the filled-in canal into a public green space, which is bordered by the Segitzdamm to the west and the Erkelenzdamm to the east in the area of the Wassertorplatz (the former Wassertor basin).