Lustgarten

Situated on the banks of the River Spree and crowned by two of Berlin's most impressive buildings - the Altes Museum and Berliner Dom - the Lustgarten is one of the most atmospheric spots in the city. Originaly designed in 1573 as a garden for the Hohzollerern royal family (the former Royal Palace was situated close by), this was the first place in Germany where potatoes were planted - a great novelty at the time! The garden was not just used for growing fruit and vegtables, but also for strolling, which is how it gained its name (Lustgarten means pleasure garden). In the 18th century, Friedrich Wilhelm I turned it into a military parade ground and 60 years ago, what remained of the garden was uprooted to provide space for Nazi parades and rallies. The historic garden was relandscaped in 2000 according to original plans and is once again full of lawns, fountains and bushes. Good though this may sound, many Berlin residents were unhappy with this decision as the Lustgarten had become a popular venue for markets, festivals and open-air concerts.

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• Attraction Type: Monuments and Landmarks

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