# Spree (river)

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{{Short description|River in Germany and the Czech Republic}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Spree
| native_name = {{native name list
  |tag1=wen
  |name1=Sprjewja
  |tag2=cs
  |name2=Spréva}}
| image = Berlin- Bundestag by the Spree - 3570.jpg
| image_caption = The Spree in [Berlin](/source/Berlin), [Reichstag building](/source/Reichstag_building) to the left, [Paul Löbe House](/source/Paul_L%C3%B6be_House) to the right
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 6
| source1_location = [Upper Lusatia](/source/Upper_Lusatia)
| mouth = [Havel](/source/Havel)
| mouth_location = [Berlin-Spandau](/source/Berlin-Spandau)
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|52|32|10|N|13|12|31|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type1 = Countries
| subdivision_name1 = {{hlist|[Czech Republic](/source/Czech_Republic)|[Germany](/source/Germany)}}
| subdivision_type2 = Cities
| subdivision_name2 = {{hlist|[Bautzen](/source/Bautzen)|[Cottbus](/source/Cottbus)|[Berlin](/source/Berlin)}}
| length = about {{convert|400|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| source1_elevation = 
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|36|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
| basin_size_km2 = 10105
| progression = {{RHavel}}
| extra = 
}}

The '''Spree''' ({{IPAc-en|lang|ʃ|p|r|eɪ|,_|s|p|r|eɪ}} {{respell|S(H)PRAY}}, {{IPA|de|ʃpʁeː|lang|De-Spree.ogg}}; {{langx|wen|Sprjewja}}, {{IPA|dsb|ˈsprʲɛwʲa|lang|link=yes}}, {{IPA|hsb|ˈspʁʲɛwʲa|lang|link=yes}}; in Lower Sorbian also called {{lang|dsb|Rěka}}, {{lit|The River}}; {{Langx|pl|Sprewa}} {{IPA|pl|ˈsprɛva|}}; {{langx|cs|Spréva}}) is a river in [Germany](/source/Germany) and the [Czech Republic](/source/Czech_Republic). With a length of approximately {{convert|400|km}}, it is the main [tributary](/source/tributary) of the [Havel](/source/Havel) River. The Spree is much longer than the Havel, which it flows into at [Berlin](/source/Berlin)-[Spandau](/source/Spandau); the Havel then flows into the [Elbe](/source/Elbe) at [Havelberg](/source/Havelberg). The river rises in the [Lusatian Highlands](/source/Lusatian_Highlands), in the [Lusatia](/source/Lusatia)n part of [Saxony](/source/Saxony), where it has three sources: the historical one called ''Spreeborn'' in the village of {{ill|Spreedorf|de}}, the water-richest one in [Neugersdorf](/source/Neugersdorf), and the highest elevated one in [Eibau](/source/Eibau). The Spree then flows northwards through [Upper](/source/Upper_Lusatia) and [Lower Lusatia](/source/Lower_Lusatia), where it crosses the border between Saxony and [Brandenburg](/source/Brandenburg). After passing through [Cottbus](/source/Cottbus), it forms the [Spree Forest](/source/Spree_Forest) ({{langx|de|Spreewald|links=no}}), a large [inland delta](/source/inland_delta) and [biosphere](/source/biosphere) reserve. It then flows through [Lake Schwielochsee](/source/Schwielochsee_(lake)) before entering Berlin, as {{lang|de|{{ill|Müggelspree|de}}}} {{nowrap|({{IPA|de|ˈmʏɡl̩ˌʃpʁeː|pron|De-Müggelspree.ogg}}).}}

The Spree is the main river of Berlin, Brandenburg, Lusatia, and the settlement area of the [Sorbs](/source/Sorbs), who call the river {{lang|wen|Sprjewja}}; the name derives ultimately from [Proto-Germanic](/source/Proto-Germanic) {{lang|gem-x-proto|spreutaną}} 'to spring forth'. For a very short distance close to its sources, the Spree constitutes, as {{lang|cs|Spréva}}, the border between Germany and the [Czech Republic](/source/Czech_Republic). The Spree's longest tributaries are [Dahme](/source/Dahme_(river)) (confluence in Berlin-[Köpenick](/source/K%C3%B6penick)) and [Schwarzer Schöps](/source/Schwarzer_Sch%C3%B6ps) ({{lang|cs|Čorny Šepc}}; confluence in [Boxberg/O.L.](/source/Boxberg%2FO.L.)-{{ill|Sprey|de}}), other well-known tributaries (since they are Berlin rivers) are [Panke](/source/Panke) and [Wuhle](/source/Wuhle).

==Course==
thumb|upright=1.5|Course of Spree River with its natural and artificial affluents and branches. In addition the canals joining the Spree and Havel river system to Oder River.

It rises in the [Lusatian Mountains](/source/Lusatian_Mountains) and flows north through [Bautzen](/source/Bautzen) and [Spremberg](/source/Spremberg).<ref>{{cite web |title=Spree River |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Spree-River |publisher=[Encyclopaedia Britannica](/source/Encyclopaedia_Britannica) |access-date=February 19, 2021}}</ref>

In the Spreewald the river passes through the towns of [Lübbenau](/source/L%C3%BCbbenau), [Lübben](/source/L%C3%BCbben) and [Leibsch](/source/Leibsch). Just below Leibsch, the [Dahme Flood Relief Canal](/source/Dahme_Flood_Relief_Canal) diverts water from the Spree to run into the [River Dahme](/source/Dahme_(river)) at [Märkisch Buchholz](/source/M%C3%A4rkisch_Buchholz). The Spree continues north from Leibsch before flowing into the [Neuendorfer See](/source/Neuendorfer_See) at the northern edge of the Spreewald. From the Neundorfer See it then flows in an easterly direction to the [Schwielochsee](/source/Schwielochsee_(lake)), and then in a northerly and westerly direction to the town of [Fürstenwalde](/source/F%C3%BCrstenwalde). From Fürstenwalde the river continues to flow westwards, through the [Dämeritzsee](/source/D%C3%A4meritzsee) and [Müggelsee](/source/M%C3%BCggelsee), to [Köpenick](/source/K%C3%B6penick) in the southeastern part of [Berlin](/source/Berlin), where it is joined by its tributary, the River Dahme.<ref name=bsiwg>{{cite book | first = Barry | last = Sheffield | publisher = Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson | location = [St Ives](/source/St_Ives%2C_Cambridgeshire) | title = Inland Waterways of Germany | year = 1995 | isbn = 0-85288-283-1 | pages = 113–122}}</ref>

The final reach of the Spree is where it is best known. It flows through the city centre of Berlin to join the [River Havel](/source/Havel) in [Spandau](/source/Spandau_(locality)), one of Berlin's western boroughs, which itself ultimately merges with the [Elbe](/source/Elbe) to enter the sea in [Cuxhaven](/source/Cuxhaven), after flowing through [Hamburg](/source/Hamburg). On its route through Berlin, the river passes [Berlin Cathedral](/source/Berlin_Cathedral) (''Berliner Dom''), the [Reichstag](/source/Reichstag_(building)) and the [Schloss Charlottenburg](/source/Schloss_Charlottenburg). The renowned [Museum Island](/source/Museum_Island) (''Museumsinsel''), with its collection of five major [museum](/source/museum)s, is an island in the Spree.<ref name=bsiwg/>

In 2004 the [Badeschiff](/source/Badeschiff) floating swimming pool opened on the Spree in Berlin.<ref name=dwbs>{{cite web | url = http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1302942,00.html | title = A Pool with a View | first = Kyle | last = James | publisher = [Deutsche Welle](/source/Deutsche_Welle) | access-date = May 15, 2010}}</ref>

==Navigation==
Small craft, such as [punts](/source/Punt_(boat)), are widely used in wetlands of the Spreewald. Larger craft can reach as far upstream as Leibsch, although the upper reaches are relatively shallow and are generally used only by leisure craft. Some intermediate reaches are unnavigable and by-passed by canals.<ref name=bsiwg/>

For a stretch of about {{convert|20|km}} east of and flowing through Fürstenwalde, the river forms part of the [Oder-Spree Canal](/source/Oder-Spree_Canal). On this reach, and on the reach west of the confluence with the River Dahme at Köpenick, the river forms part of secondary commercial link between Berlin and the [River Oder](/source/Oder) and hence [Poland](/source/Poland).<ref name=bsiwg/> The canal diverges from the Spree just east of Fürstenwalde and later joins the River Dahme at the (lake) [Seddinsee](/source/Seddinsee).

In Berlin, the Spree forms part of a dense network of navigable waterways, many of which are artificial, and which provide a wide choice of routes. Several important commercial harbors can be found on this network, and tugs and barges move sand, grain, bricks, and beer. Tour boats tour the central section of the Spree and its adjoining waterways on a frequent basis.<ref name=bsiwg/><ref>{{cite book | title = The Rough Guide to Berlin | first = John | last = Gawthrop |author2=Williams, Christian  | publisher = Rough Guides | location = [London](/source/London) - [New York](/source/New_York_City) - [Delhi](/source/Delhi) | year = 2008 | isbn = 978-1-85828-382-1 | pages = 28–29}}</ref>

==Berlin Wall==
{{Further|List of deaths at the Berlin Wall}}
Many people died in the Spree during the Cold War while trying to cross the [Berlin Wall](/source/Berlin_Wall), including children who drowned when rescuers were not allowed to enter the river to save them.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Pohled z mostu - panoramio (1).jpg|Spree in [Bautzen](/source/Bautzen)
File:Sprjewja w Połpicy 1.JPG|Spree north of Bautzen
File:Spreewald ausflugskahn 02.jpg|Spree in the [Spreewald](/source/Spreewald)
File:Oberbaumbruecke beim Berliner Osthafen cropped.jpg|Spree in central [Berlin](/source/Berlin), with [Oberbaum Bridge](/source/Oberbaum_Bridge)
File:Spree Shore Berlin (46908854455).jpg|Spree Shore in Berlin [Friedrichshain](/source/Friedrichshain)
File:Bodemuseum - Front.jpeg|[Bode Museum](/source/Bode_Museum) at the tip of [Museum Island](/source/Museum_Island) in the Spree
File:Berlin-Spandauer Schifffahrtskanal, Schiff bei Kanaleinfahrt.jpg|Spree with [Berlin Hauptbahnhof](/source/Berlin_Hauptbahnhof) & the entrance of a canal
File:Berlin - Bundeskanzleramt - Nacht - 2013.jpg|The [Federal Chancellery (Berlin)](/source/Federal_Chancellery_(Berlin)) on the Spree
File:Fernsehturm seen from the Spree August 2024.jpg|Spree in [Mitte](/source/Mitte) with view of [Fernsehturm Berlin](/source/Fernsehturm_Berlin)
File:Spree river, Cottbus, Germany (2011).jpg|Spree in [Cottbus](/source/Cottbus)
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons|Spree}}
* [http://www.stadtpanoramen.de/en/berlin/spree.html Panorama Spree] - Panoramic view of the river in Berlin
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Spree |short=x}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Federal waterways in Germany
Category:International rivers of Europe
Category:Rivers of Berlin
Category:Rivers of Brandenburg
Category:Rivers of Saxony
Category:Rivers of the Ústí nad Labem Region
Category:Spree basin
Category:Rivers of Germany
Category:Border rivers
Category:Czech Republic–Germany border

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Spree (river)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spree_(river)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spree_(river)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.