Schloss Köpenick

Köpenick Palace: Classical Music in the Heart of a Baroque Jewel

The current building was constructed between 1677 and 1690 for the Hohenzollern Crown Prince Frederick, later King Frederick I of Prussia. This makes Köpenick Palace one of the oldest surviving Baroque palaces in the region. With its almost continuously preserved Baroque stucco work and ceiling paintings, it possesses a rarity in Northern Germany. So, whoever wishes to experience classical music in Berlin literally does so amidst history here. Treasures from the Museum of Decorative Arts are exhibited in the charming Baroque palace, located on the banks of the Dahme, and the palace complex is situated on an artificial island at the edge of Köpenick’s old town. A concert afternoon could hardly be framed more beautifully.

Concerts in the Aurora Hall: Chamber Music with Profound Impact

Selected concerts take place in the beautiful Aurora Hall at Köpenick Palace. The program is seriously sophisticated: one can hear piano works from Rameau to Albéniz, pieces by Schubert and Weber, and Mozart’s Electoral Sonatas with violin and piano. More unusual formats are also offered: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony is performed at Köpenick Palace not in its well-known orchestral form, but in a contemporary arrangement for piano four hands. The Berlin Palace Concerts, responsible for the program, are a fixture in Berlin and Brandenburg, and the idea of using historic buildings as venues for classical music has been extraordinarily successful. In summer, there is an additional offering: every Wednesday during the summer, Köpenick Palace Island becomes a stage for musicians of various genres. Tickets for concerts at the palace can be booked online in advance and cost 36 Euros, reduced 18 Euros. Since seating is limited, early booking is recommended.