Was it truly named after a goddess? That’s just one of the many stories hidden within Freiaplatz. This green space in Berlin’s Lichtenberg district offers more than just a place to relax. Freiaplatz offers a journey through time.
Let’s step back to the late 19th century. The area around Freiaplatz was being developed for housing. Strict fire safety rules meant this area had to stay open. Around 1900, the city decided to turn this open space into a park. They planted various trees and shrubs. These included chestnut, oak, linden, and maple trees. A quarter of Freiaplatz became a children’s playground. It was separated by hedges and low iron fences. The name Freiaplatz first appeared in 1910. Back then, it was spelled “Freyaplatz”.
The square is named after the Norse goddess Freya. This fits with the surrounding streets. They are all named after characters from the Nibelungen saga. Richard Wagner used this saga as inspiration for his operas. Locals even called the whole residential area the “Wagner district”.
During the Battle of Berlin in World War II, the German army set up a tank barrier at Freiaplatz. Their goal was to stop Soviet forces from advancing. A witness recalled seeing Soviet soldiers moving along Siegfriedstrasse. They bypassed the Freiaplatz tank barrier.
After the war, Freiaplatz became a community hub. The playground had sandboxes and climbing poles. Another section was for older residents. Wooden benches were placed around the trees, some with reed roofs. The remaining space was a lawn with flower beds and benches. A few small sculptures were added.
In the late 1970s, the playground was updated. The climbing poles were removed. Swings and seesaws were added. The senior area was also changed. The reed roofs were taken down. Concrete tables and stone benches were installed. People gathered to play dominoes, cards, and drink beer on summer evenings.
In 1984, a sculpture called “Mother with Child” was placed on Freiaplatz. It honored Liselotte Herrmann, a resistance fighter. A memorial plaque was added in 2020.
After German reunification, Freiaplatz was redesigned. New paths were created and animal figures were added. Two playgrounds were built for different age groups. These included a sand pit with a wooden bridge and a ball court. New lawns, hedges, and benches completed the changes. A metal pergola was installed for relaxation. However, it became a gathering spot for drinkers and was later removed.
In the 21st century, more changes came to Freiaplatz. In 2013, the square was officially reopened after renovations. The existing climbing frame was kept and a tree house was added. A smaller climbing frame with a slide was built for younger children. A seating area for seniors was created under the old chestnut trees.
The buildings around Freiaplatz also have their own stories. The houses at Ruedigerstrasse 39-42a are listed historical buildings. They were built between 1938 and 1940. The apartment complex at Ruedigerstrasse and Wotanstrasse was opened in 1927. It offered small apartments and a shared garden. On the east side of Freiaplatz, there are orange and yellow apartment blocks. They were built in the 1930s for streetcar workers. The inner courtyards of these buildings are listed as garden monuments. In Freiastrasse, there is a building complex with a large green courtyard. One of the houses was destroyed during World War II but was rebuilt.
A plaque commemorating anti-fascist resistance fighter Erich Rohde has been located in Wotanstrasse 7 since about 1973. Until about 1960, there were small shops around Freiaplatz. These included a soap shop, a milk shop, a bakery, and a pub. The bakery and pub remained open into the 2010s. Freiaplatz continues to be a place of community and remembrance. It stands as a testament to the past and a space for the future.