Elstal

Elstal is a village and a part of the municipality of Wustermark in the Havelland district of Brandenburg, Germany. It is located in the western part of the state, approximately 20 kilometers west of Berlin. The village is situated on the Elbe-Havel Canal, a waterway that connects the Elbe River to the Havel River.

Historically, Elstal was known for its railway infrastructure. The Elstal railway station, opened in 1871, was an important junction on the Berlin-Hamburg railway line. The area around the station developed into a significant industrial and logistical hub. During the Nazi era, a concentration camp was established in Elstal, which was used for forced labor and imprisonment. After World War II, the Soviet Army used the site.

In recent decades, Elstal has experienced significant development and transformation. It has become a popular residential area for people working in Berlin, benefiting from its relatively close proximity to the capital and improved transport links. The municipality of Wustermark has focused on developing new residential areas and modernizing infrastructure. The former industrial sites have seen redevelopment, with some areas being repurposed for commercial or residential use. Elstal retains a mix of historical elements and modern development, reflecting its evolving role within the wider Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region.