Schloss Friedrichsfelde

Did the walls of Schloss Friedrichsfelde always echo with classical music? Absolutely not. Here, in the heart of Tierpark Berlin, stands Schloss Friedrichsfelde. It has witnessed centuries of Berlin’s history, transforming from a pleasure palace to a farm, even a temporary veterinary clinic. Originally called Rosenfelde, construction began in 1695 for Benjamin Raule, the director of the Brandenburg navy. Architect Johann Arnold Nering, also known for Schloss Köpenick, designed it in a Dutch manor house style. Raule’s enjoyment was short-lived. He fell out of favor, and the estate reverted to the Hohenzollerns. Renamed Friedrichsfelde in 1699, it was gifted to Margrave Albrecht Friedrich of Brandenburg-Schwedt in 1717. He incorporated Baroque elements, expanding the palace further. The 18th century saw a carousel of owners, each leaving their mark. Duke Peter von Biron introduced early Neoclassical elements inside, while Duchess Catherine of Holstein-Beck, connected to the Russian tsars, hosted royal guests and shaped the Neoclassical facade we see today. In 1816, the era of royalty ended. The Treskow family purchased Schloss Friedrichsfelde and transformed the estate into a model farm. The famed landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné redesigned the park, creating the picturesque landscape that complements the palace. After World War II, the palace faced a period of turmoil. It was looted, housed refugees, and eventually became part of the newly established Tierpark Berlin in 1955. Serving various roles within the zoo, it wasn’t until extensive renovations between 1970 and 1981 that Schloss Friedrichsfelde regained its former glory. Today, the palace echoes its 18th-century elegance. Inside, portraits of past residents grace the walls, and Neoclassical porcelain gleams in display cases. The ballroom hosts classical concerts, continuing a long legacy of music and culture, while exhibitions tell the story of the palace, its inhabitants, and its remarkable journey through time.