“Hands off the Spreebogenpark!” That’s what the Association of German Landscape Architects demanded in 2016. Today we’re standing in this very park. It’s a vital green space right in the heart of Berlin.
The Spreebogenpark sits in the Tiergarten district. It’s nestled between the Chancellery and the Reichstag. This six-hectare park opened in 2005. It provides a valuable recreational space amidst German politics.
In 1997, the Berlin Senate held a design competition. Weber and Saurer, a Swiss architecture firm, won. Their vision shaped the Spreebogenpark we see today. Construction took three years.
As you stroll through Spreebogenpark, notice the fan shape. Vast grassy areas invite you to relax. Scattered trees provide shade. Sloped lawns lead down to the river. The park has a unique “landscape window”. It offers views of the Humboldthafen. Sand-colored paths wind along the riverside promenade. They lead to themed gardens. These include the “Spurengarten” and “Gartenspur”.
The Gustav-Heinemann Bridge connects the Spreebogenpark to Washingtonplatz. It offers a scenic route from Berlin’s Central Station. The park extends from the Moltkebrücke to the Paul-Löbe-Haus. It also reaches the Chancellor’s Office.
From the Moltkebrücke, admire the view. You can see the Uferpromenade along the Spree. Look towards the historic Charité hospital. Then gaze over to the International Trade Centre. An inclining lawn beckons you to climb. From the top, spot the Hauptbahnhof across the Spree. Catch a glimpse of Potsdamer Platz. It lies between the Paul-Löbe-Haus and the Chancellor’s Office. This area was once a deserted no-man’s land. It separated the two sides of the Berlin Wall. Now, it’s a revived center for business and entertainment.
Spreebogenpark acknowledges the site’s history. This area was once the Alsenviertel. It was Berlin’s historic embassy district. The district was cleared for Hitler’s planned world capital, Germania. The Second World War destroyed the remnants. Only the Swiss Embassy remained. The gardens now feature wildflower meadows. Perennials remind us of the embassies’ gardens.
The Spreebogenpark is an integral part of the “Band des Bundes” urban development concept. Berlin architects Axel Schultes and Charlotte Frank created this concept. The park is a meeting place for Berliners and visitors. What other city has such an attractive public space next to a major railway station? The Spreebogenpark is part of a north-south green corridor. This corridor has significant urban climatic importance.
The Association of German Landscape Architects believes the Spreebogenpark should be upgraded. They want the Federal Forum developed further too. The Spreebogenpark is more than just a park. It’s a symbol of Berlin’s resilience. It’s a place where history and relaxation intertwine. It’s a green heart in the center of German politics.