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View from the garden onto the flower terrace of the Liebermann Villa
View from the garden onto the flower terrace of the Liebermann Villa © Ta-Trung Berlin

Liebermann-Villa

Max Liebermann’s Castle by the lake

The summerhouse of Max Liebermann and its garden as exhibition site at the Wannsee: Max Liebermann had the house built after his ideas in 1909, which he proudly called his “castle by the lake”.

Enjoy the summer house of the painter Max Liebermann where you can view his work in the place of its origin. Regular exhibitions are held in his former studio including motifs of the surrounding landscape and Lake Wannsee. In many of the paintings you will recognise the original, faithfully reconstructed and colourful garden. You will also enjoy the view from the house of the Wannsee and be able to learn more about the life of Liebermann and his family through a multimedia exhibition.

Liebermann's late work in his "Chateau on the Lake"

In 1909 the painter Max Liebermann builds his summer residence in one of the most fashionable villa areas on the outskirts of Berlin. The garden is the centrepiece of the estate and is designed by Max Liebermann and Alfred Lichtwark, director of the Hamburger Kunsthalle. During the summer months up until 1935, more than 200 paintings, pastels and graphics are created here. Many are created in the garden or the area surrounding Lake Wannsee, including some portraits of Liebermann’s family. The house and property undergoes restoration between 2002 and 2006, and since then the Liebermann-Villa has become a museum dedicated to the life and work of the painter.

Visitors learn about the history of the Liebermann family and the house via multimedia stations on the ground floor. The main art exhibition is held in the artist’s original studio, with around 40 works on display, focusing on the changing themes of Liebermann’s work. Included are also works by other artists of the time. As a special feature, the museum displays Liebermann's portraits of contemporary artists Georg Kolbe, Oskar Kokoschka and Conrad Felixmüller. After your tour, enjoy a coffee and cake in the café on the garden terrace or in the former dining room.

Highlights of the exhibition

  • The late works of Liebermann: Motifs surrounding the Villa and the Wannsee.
  • Liebermann's portraits of major contemporaries.
  • The artfully landscaped garden designed by Liebermann.
  • Multimedia tour through the life of the Liebermanns.
  • Cosy café on the garden terrace.

Other places to visit around Wannsee

Only 450 metres from the Liebermann-Villa is the House of the Wannsee Conference. On this site in 1942, high-ranking officials of the Nazi ministries of the Reich and the SS decide on the "final solution of the Jewish question". At the memorial site you can visit the permanent exhibition "The Wannsee Conference and the Genocide of the European Jews". The burial place of poet Heinrich von Kleist and Henriette Vogel is located about 2 kilometres south on the banks of the Kleine Wannsee. They committed suicide together in November 1811. The monument offers an audio guide which takes you through the events of that day.

Our tips for your visit

Take the S-Bahn lines S1 and S7 and the regional express to the S-Bahn station Wannsee. From there, the bus 114 will take you to Liebermann-Villa. Alternatively, take a 25-minute walk along the shores of Lake Wannsee. A large car park is located at the corner of Am Großen Wannsee/Zum Heckeshorn. The exhibition is open on Mondays and on public holidays. Groups receive discounted combined tickets. The house is partially wheelchair accessible, and visually impaired people can participate in special guided tours.

Information for children, families and school classes

Children up to 18 years of age, school groups and school classes receive free admission. In addition, guided tours are offered for children from 5 to 12 years.

 

Opening hours (additional information)

April till September
Daily except Tuesdays
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October till March
Daily except Tuesdays
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.