“This is where I belong!”
The Mariendorf trotting racecourse was officially opened in 1913 as the most modern centre of its kind in Germany. 32 stables frame the 24-hectare complex, surrounded by chestnut trees. One of Berlin’s most famous evergreens is sung today as it was then:
“I still have a suitcase in Berlin,
Something always calls me back,
And when I’m in the Ma’Damm
And see the horses ride
Then I know
This is where I belong!”
The art nouveau stands survived the war unscathed, and remain as beautifully ornate as when they were first built. During the post-war years, trotting races experienced a revival in Berlin, and since 1952 the German Trotting Derby is held in Mariendorf every year. The ‘Blue Ribbon’ race is considered the highpoint of Germany’s trotting scene.
The new Mariendorf spectator gallery was opened in 1972. The five-storey building provides seating for five thousand visitors and is one of the most modern stands on any German racecourse with its massive glass front.
The 32 stables are worth a visit, showcasing traditional half-timbered building styles alongside modern stable constructions. More than 800 horses can be kept here. In the vicinity, several small inns beckon, like the ‘Traberpause’ and the ‘Champions Teehaus’.
Mariendorf plays host to more than 650 trotting races all year round, making it one of the most successful trotting tracks in Germany.
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