Garten Alma de l’Aigle

Hidden within bustling Eppendorf lies Garten Alma de l’Aigle. This isn’t just any garden. It’s a vibrant echo of Hamburg’s past, a testament to a family’s love for nature, and a tribute to a remarkable woman. In 1888, Dr. Friedrich Alexander de l’Aigle, a descendant of French Revolution refugees, purchased a large plot of land north of the present-day Lokstedter Weg. Instead of a grand villa, he built a modest home for his family. He transformed the remaining land into a thriving garden, not for leisure, but for sustenance. His eldest daughter, Alma, for whom the garden is now named, spent her youth amidst roses, apple trees, and a multitude of blossoms. This paradise, however, demanded hard work. Every apple, every pea pod, was sold at the market to support the family. Recognizing Alma’s artistic inclinations, her father nurtured her love for the natural world. Alma later immortalized the scents of the roses and the sweetness of the fruit trees in her 1948 book, “Ein Garten” (A Garden). Although financial constraints prevented her from pursuing art formally, Alma became a special education teacher, a passionate gardener, and a vocal advocate for social reform. She embraced her voice, criticizing the regime and protesting against rearmament in post-war Germany. In 1953, she co-founded the Deutscher Kinderschutzbund (German Child Protection Association). After Alma’s death in 1959, the garden fell into disrepair. The family home was demolished, and the land was sold to an investor with plans to build apartments. Fortunately, a reading from Alma’s “Ein Garten” in 1991 sparked renewed interest in this hidden gem. The Gesellschaft für Gartenkultur (Society for the Promotion of Garden Culture) intervened, rescuing a portion of the garden, including some of its original roses and apple trees. Today, Garten Alma de l’Aigle retains a charmingly untamed atmosphere. The grass grows freely, and the roses bloom in wild abandon. This touch of wilderness adds to the oasis-like charm, especially when bees buzz around daffodils, and roses burst into a riot of color. It’s a small piece of natural idyll amidst the urban sprawl. Although the peak rose season might be over, a visit to Alma’s garden is always worthwhile. And don’t miss a September visit. You might find a few apples scattered on the grass, a sweet reminder of Alma’s legacy in the heart of the city.