Forgotten railway tracks whisper tales of a bygone era right here at G\u00f6rlitzer Park. This isn’t just any park. It’s a vibrant green space with a past as complex as Berlin itself. G\u00f6rlitzer Park is located in Kreuzberg. This 14-hectare park provides a space for recreation and relaxation.
G\u00f6rlitzer Park emerged in the mid-1990s. The former railway yard became a park. Before its park transformation, G\u00f6rlitzer Bahnhof served as a bustling railway station. It was named after the Saxon town of G\u00f6rlitz. The station suffered heavy damage during the Battle of Berlin. Passenger train services ceased in 1951. Demolition occurred in 1962 despite local protests.
In the postwar period, the area became a coal depot. Freight trains ran until 1985. They supplied storage sheds and a junkyard. During Berlin’s division, a border crossing controlled freight train passage. Remnants of this crossing remain near the Landwehr Canal. Today, you can still see short track sections and two former freight sheds.
The park’s transformation began in the early 1980s. Civil and squatter movements pushed for a \”G\u00f6rlitzer City Park.\” Greening programs started in 1983. The Reichsbahn management supported the park plans. They developed a children’s petting zoo. Industries donated materials and feed. A cement plant even donated topsoil.
Today, G\u00f6rlitzer Park offers many attractions. These include sports fields and a small lake. You’ll also find a petting zoo. It is home to donkeys, goats, sheep and rabbits. The Spreewaldbad swimming pool complex sits nearby. It was built between 1984 and 1987.
Remnants of the past are still visible. These include tracks and a pedestrian tunnel. Three freight sheds remind visitors of the park’s railway history. Railway bridges once connected the area to Treptow. One bridge remains preserved. It allows pedestrians to cross the Landwehr Canal. A green corridor follows the former railway line. It connects G\u00f6rlitzer Park to Treptower Park.
Until the fall of the Wall, the Berlin Wall ran along the Landwehr Canal. In the southern part, a railroad wheelhouse once stood. Today, a hill with a slide marks the spot. An 80-metre toboggan run provides fun. The G\u00f6rlitzer Tunnel was walkable until 1989. Its removal created a natural arena. The tunnel walls were included as a design element. A 14-metre steel sculpture stands on the basin’s west side.
From 1994 to 1997, the Pamukkale fountain was built. It became a special place for Kreuzberg residents. The fountain was inspired by Turkey’s travertine terraces. Faulty construction led to its demolition in 2009. The concrete terraces now have artificial turf for seating.
Since 2011, an orchard has grown in the park. Apple, pear and greengage trees thrive here. Local residents cultivate the orchard meadow. The harvest is available to the public.
G\u00f6rlitzer Park has faced challenges with drug trafficking. Police patrols and task forces have attempted to address the issue. Despite these efforts, the park remains a complex space.
G\u00f6rlitzer Park is more than just a park. It embodies Berlin’s ever-changing spirit. It is a place where history and recreation intertwine. It offers something for everyone who visits.