Grosser Tiergarten

The Tiergarten of Berlin is one of the largest and most beloved urban parks in the city, a true green lung that extends over 210 hectares in the heart of the German capital. The history of the Tiergarten is deeply intertwined with that of Berlin itself, reflecting the political, social, and cultural changes that have marked the city over the centuries. Originally created as a hunting reserve in the 16th century for the elector princes of Brandenburg, the Tiergarten began its transformation into a public garden at the end of the 17th century. It was Frederick the Great who gave the decisive impetus for the transformation of the park, commissioning the landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné to redesign the area in the style of English gardens. Lenné designed an intricate network of paths, meadows, lakes, and groves, creating a natural and harmonious environment that still characterizes the park today. During World War II, the Tiergarten suffered severe damage. Trees were cut down to provide firewood, and many areas of the park were used to grow vegetables. After the war, a large reforestation and restoration program began to restore the park to its former glory. In the 1950s and 1960s, thousands of trees and shrubs were planted, and the park was gradually restored as a place of leisure and relaxation for Berliners. One of the focal points of the Tiergarten is the Siegessäule, or Victory Column. Initially erected in front of the Reichstag to commemorate Prussian victories in the wars against Denmark, Austria, and France, the column was moved to the center of the Großer Stern during the Nazi period. The golden statue of the goddess Victoria, 8.3 meters high, dominates the column, and the panoramic platform at its top offers a spectacular view of the park and the city. The park is also home to the Soviet War Memorial, erected in 1945 to commemorate the Soviet soldiers who died during the Battle of Berlin. This imposing memorial, with its T-34 tanks and statues of soldiers, is a powerful reminder of Berlin’s recent history and a symbol of peace and reconciliation. At the heart of the Tiergarten is also the Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the President of Germany. Built in 1786 as a summer residence for Prince August Ferdinand of Prussia, the palace is now an important symbol of the federal republic and a venue for diplomatic meetings and official ceremonies. Another attraction of the park is the Zoologischer Garten Berlin, the oldest zoo in Germany, opened in 1844. The zoo hosts a wide range of animal species and is a popular destination for families and tourists. The proximity of the zoo and the aquarium make it an important educational and recreational destination for the city. The park is also famous for its numerous statues and monuments, including those dedicated to German historical and cultural figures such as Goethe, Schiller, and Wagner. These monuments not only enrich the park aesthetically, but also offer a journey through Germany’s cultural history, making every walk an educational as well as recreational experience.