Berlin's first buildings were erected at the historic port near Mühlendamm boulevard. First mentioned in a document in 1298, the facilities on the Spree were a prerequisite for the rise of the Mark Brandenburg and Prussia. Everything needed for the expansion of the metropolis arrived by ship.

The scenery of the location has inspired artists of very different epochs. The hustle and bustle, the work of the people, their clothes, and the different atmospheres were captured in graphics and paintings, which are collected here for the first time. The volume shows previously unknown aspects of Berlin, a fascinating portrayal of the reality of life beyond glamour and power.