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The museum is dedicated to the work of the Berlin artist Käthe Kollwitz (1897–1945), who documented the misery of workers’ lives in 1920s Berlin in numerous prints, graphics and sketches. After losing a son and a grandson in World War I, she concentrated on the themes of war and motherhood. The museum holds some 200 of her works, including several self-portraits.

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) .

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

The famous Berlin boulevard, the pride of Charlottenburg, is today more elegant than ever (see Kurfürstendamm) .

Berlin’s only Museum for Children is particularly suitable for children at the preschool stage and in the early school years. Three or four themed exhibitions each year deal with subjects in a child-friendly and entertaining way – for example “Snoops and Detectives”. Every exhibition is interactive, allowing children to join in and experiment, becoming independent through their experiences in play.

The sloping, grass-covered banks of Landwehrkanal are ideal spots to chill out.