Download as PDF (314 KB)
Help

You want to discover the quite side of Berlin? Then you should visit southern Neukölln with its rural ambience. Go to station Blaschkoallee with the underground line U7. From there a bit to the south on Fritz-Reuter-Allee, the look of the city - normally characterised by Wilhelminian architecture - is changing.

U7 Blaschkoallee

Between Blaschko-, Fritz-Reuter- and Parchimer Allee is the Hufeisensiedlung ("Horseshoe" community) (1), a big housing complex from the times of the Weimarer Republik (1918-1933). This housing project was not only the initiation of modern German architecture but was also model for similar settlements all over Germany. The area of 33 hectares contains red, yellow, blue or white buildings amid spacious green and gardens. The centre is the Hufeisen (horseshoe) built by the famous architects Bruno Taut and Martin Wagner: Inward-looking balconies point at the little "Pfuhl" (a pond that emerged during the last Ice Age) that forms together with the diamond shaped square the central public place of the complex. Social reformism was combined with modern architecture and the desire to live nearby nature. Primarily employees and officers have been living here for a long time. Most impressively, the Hufeisensiedlung presents itself as a unit towards Fritz-Reuter-Allee by a long row of three-story houses - the "red front" - that makes it almost look like a fortress.

Leaving this complex through Dörchläuchtingstraße, you pass the memorial stone of the poet and anarchist Erich Mühsam (2). He has been living in number 48 from 1930 until his deportation to the concentration camp KZ Oranienburg, versifying his texts for freedom and humanity. Along Onkel-Bräsig-Straße, famous for the Japanese ornamental cherry trees blooming every year in resplendent white and red, you pass the Fennpfuhl (3), yet another ice age pond. /p>

The historical village Britz (4) was first named in charters of 1375 as "bretzki", the place at the little birch forest. In 1920 it was suburbanised together with the villages Buckow and Rudow to the district of Neukölln. Still today it has preserved its original charm. Around the village pond there are the two old village schools, the Schloss Britz (5) and the Guthaus. Through the wrought iron gate you enter the church, surrounded by a graveyard. The little museum reminds of its long history, during which the church was rebuilt several times. Next to the church is the classical rectory.

The Britzer Schloss is the most interesting part of the historical ensemble. Since 1988 the renovated building with park and lake is opened for public. It is a place for concerts, exhibitions and readings. The historical rooms primarily in style of the last decades of the 19^th century are opened to public every Wednesday from 2 p.m. The park opens daily from 9 a.m. to nightfall. There are information boards at many points that explain the history of the Manor House and the Village Britz.

144

Take bus line 144 direction Buckow until station Dackdeckerweg. Driving time: 11 min.

At Britzer Damm you take the bus line 144 and go south until the station Dachdeckerweg. You are now at the eastern border of the Britzer Garten, originally created for the 1985 National Horticultural Show, one of Berlin's most visited and most beautiful parks. The Britzer Windmill, one of the seven preserved windmills in Berlin, suggests the idyllic location of a green oasis amidst the large city. This impression is deepened by the sheep grazing here. A miller looks after the windmill and educates even hobby-millers. From March to October there are guided tours at the full hour, Sundays and on Bank holidays from 11a.m.-4 p.m. and Thursdays from 2-5 p.m. The windmill fascinates even by looking at the 20 meter high mill with wooden oak shingles. Until 1936 it run with wind power, but today a diesel engine replaces the wind energy and the mill is under monumental protection. Besides guided tours and educations there are also bread baking workshops and marriages in the historical Windmill.

The spacious Britzer Garten covers 100 hectares and is the first large park area of the still divided city. It was once agricultural tilled and affords today manifold opportunities: 10 hectares of Lake Landscape, numerous theme parks, like the famous rose garden, game gardens, a Geologic Garden, the witch garden and the big land laboratory, where you can find the permanently exhibition with information about the plant and animal life. Europe' s biggest sundial is built on the Kalenderplatz. The various looks of the scenic garden invite to a fine promenade. A sight-seeing tour with the park railway offers a first overview. The "Café am See" restaurant, the "Bistro am Kalenderplatz" and the "Britzer Mühle" restaurant are open all the year round. So your rest after a promenade is as pleasant as the whole area of the Britzer Garden.

Download as PDF (314 KB)
Help

The Berlin Tourist Information is looking forward to your visit!

© Berlin Tourismus Marketing GmbH
 Contact · About us · Imprint