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Köpenick is a small, quiet, self-absorbed world. This island community has a venerable history: as early as the 9th century, people had settled on Schlossinsel. The former fishing village stayed independent until 1920, and its coat of arms still features two fish, as do many of the house façades. The Old Town, on the banks of the Dahme River, is still characterized by cobbled streets and low fishermen’s huts from the 18th and 19th centuries, taking the visitor back in time. Schüßlerplatz, Grünstraße and Alter Markt, too, still have some older buildings. Old Köpenick became famous on 16 October 1906. Wilhelm Voigt, a homeless man dressed up as a captain, commanded a troop of soldiers, marched into the town hall, arrested the mayor and confiscated the municipal coffers. Today the “Hauptmann von Köpenick” (Captain of Köpenick), who later became a popular folk figure, is commemorated by a statue in front of the Rathaus (town hall). The vast red-brick structure, dating from 1901–4, is a typical example of Gothic brick architecture from Brandenburg province.

The Köpenick palace, which is situated on Schlossinsel (palace island) in the south of the district, was built in 1677–81 to plans by the Dutch architect Rutger van Langervelt for Frederick, heir to the throne and future King Frederick I. In the 17th century, the charming Baroque palace was extended by Johann Arnold Nering and others. Today it houses part of the collections of the Berliner Kunstgewerbemuseum (arts and crafts museum) (see Museums) .

In this small square, a monument of a table and upturned chair recall the expulsion of the Jews.

Kreuzberg in the raw: social misery tucked away in between new buildings in the Turkish heart of the district.

Delicate Berlin porcelain with Prussian subjects (see Shops & Markets) .

Situated in the Old Town, near the river baths in Gartenstraße, this is one of the nicest garden venues, especially in summer.

Although Krumme Lanke is commonly thought not to be clean enough for bathing, some people now think otherwise. In fact, it seems cleaner (though also colder) than the water in Schlachtensee.

This unique complex of buildings features the best museums and concert halls in Berlin (see Kulturforum) .

This complex of museums, which includes the famous Gemäldegalerie (gallery of paintings), the Kunstgewerbemuseum (museum of arts and crafts) and the Neue Nationalgalerie, as well as concert halls such as the Philharmonie, guarantees a unique cultural experience for visitors to Berlin (see Kulturforum) .