Schlosspark Biesdorf

An English landscape park behind a tower villa

Whoever comes from Alt-Biesdorf street first sees the palace: a late-classical tower villa, built in 1867 and 1868 for the estate owner Hans Herrmann Freiherr von Rüxleben, designed by architect Heino Schmieden in the tradition of the Schinkel school. Rüxleben had the park behind it laid out from 1868. It received its current form under Wilhelm von Siemens, who had it extended northward and designed by Albert Brodersen in the style of an English landscape park. In 1887, Werner von Siemens bought the estate, in 1927 the family sold it to the city of Berlin, and since then the garden has been a public park. Today, both the palace as a architectural monument and Biesdorf Palace Park as a garden monument are protected, both as part of the Alt-Biesdorf ensemble. For a picnic, this means: feel free to bring a blanket, but no grill. There are no designated grilling areas in Marzahn-Hellersdorf, and for a garden monument, the ban applies especially. In 1945, the upper floor of the palace burned out and had to be removed; since the mid-fifties, the building has served as a cultural center and district center.

The oldest tree population in Marzahn, a fountain pond, and a reading garden

Across approximately ten hectares, large meadows alternate with dense shrub and tree groups, along with picturesque sightlines that Brodersen deliberately created. Those seeking shade are in the right place here: The park has the oldest and largest continuous tree population in the district. In the center is a fountain pond, along with an ice cellar with a double flight of stairs, a tea pavilion, and a former lawn tennis court, which today serves as a reading garden. In 2010, the park received the Green Flag Award. Food and drinks are available at the café in the palace, but none in the park itself. Two things are good to know: The park stage is currently being renovated and is only to be used again by a new tenant, and during the Biesdorfer Blütenfest, the palace park temporarily becomes a festival ground. The park can be reached via the S5 to Biesdorf, bus 154 to Schlosspark Biesdorf, or the U5 to Elsterwerdaer Platz. Parking is available at the palace, and access to the building is barrier-free. Those looking for the meadows should head straight north, where the part extended by Brodersen is located.