Heinrich-von-Kleist-Park

Heinrich-von-Kleist-Park

Heinrich-von-Kleist-Park

If you leave the Hotel Schöneberg in an easterly direction and soon turn left, you will end up in Akazienstraße, which exudes alternative charm with its many small shops and pubs. The nearby Heinrich-von-Kleistpark is ideal for a subsequent rest break. From here, it can be reached most quickly via Grunewaldstraße.

History of the park

The Kleistpark looks back on centuries of history. Originally, the hop garden of Schöneberg was located here. At the behest of Frederick William, the Great Elector of Brandenburg, a court and kitchen garden was established in 1679, supplemented by an agricultural model garden. From 1801, the Botanical Garden was created on an area of 7.5 hectares, which housed, among other things, a palm house and giant water lilies. At the beginning of the 20th century, this was moved to Berlin-Lichterfelde for reasons of space.
A bicycle race track was built on the grounds in Schöneberg. And after a terrible accident on the opening day, it was immediately torn down again. Afterwards, the area was to be built on. Due to an initiative of the Berlin newspapers, a park was opened again in 1911 instead; size: 5.7 hectares. It was given its name on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the poet’s death.

Imposing buildings

A particularly glamorous ambience is lent to the park by the “Königskolonnaden”, today Kleistkolonnaden. The colonnades, which adorn the park entrance on Potsdamer Strasse, are decorated with mythological figures and putti.
Those interested in history should definitely take a look at the Kammergericht, a listed building, during their visit to the park. It houses the oldest court still in operation in Germany and was once the seat of the Allied Control Council. The garden architect Georg Béla Pniower redesigned the Kleist Park after the Second World War for the Allied Control Council.
As a horticultural complex, it has been listed as a historic monument since 1995, but its appearance has suffered over the years. From September 2022, it will therefore be comprehensively renovated. The historic park areas will be preserved. At the same time, a contemporary use of the park will be made possible – sustainable and barrier-free.