Wonder what hunting was like for a prince-elector? Let’s journey back to 1542 and the oldest preserved castle in Berlin. This is Jagdschloss Grunewald.
Jagdschloss Grunewald started as a hunting lodge. Joachim II Hector, prince-elector of Brandenburg, ordered its construction. He named it Zum grünen Wald, meaning to the green forest. This name then gave the whole Grunewald its name.
Around 1800, the château also became known as Grunewald. Frederick I, the first king of Prussia, had it reconstructed. Between 1705 and 1708, master builder Martin Grünberg gave it a Baroque design.
Imagine the grand hunting parties. Picture nobles arriving at Jagdschloss Grunewald. They came to enjoy the sport and lavish festivities. These events were major social gatherings. Hunting lodges offered accommodation for guests.
Originally, Jagdschloss Grunewald was a moated castle. It stood on an 8 x 21 meter platform. A wooden bridge provided the only access. The moat was filled in 1709.
Over time, the lake level was lowered. This happened multiple times in the 19th century. Today, the water level is about 2.80 meters lower than when the castle was built.
After Joachim II’s death, architect Count Rocco Guerrini added tower buildings. These almost square towers face the lake. They were added during the reign of his son John George.
Inside Jagdschloss Grunewald, a Renaissance hall remains. It is the only one of its kind in Berlin. The hall has been restored to its original state. A double arcade with a column divides the room. The floor is made of red brick slabs.
The main house and corner wings once had gable roofs. These roofs were covered with plain tile. Numerous chimneys and dormers adorned the roof.
Caspar Theiss is believed to have designed Jagdschloss Grunewald. He was a prominent master builder under Joachim II. His name appears on a stone slab above the cellar door.
In 1669, the Great Elector Friedrich Wilhelm ordered repairs to the hunting lodge. It had fallen into disrepair. Frederick I later commissioned major modernization work.
In 1705, the richly structured roof zone was changed. The saddle roofs gave way to a mansard hipped roof. The main house was extended to match the three-story corner wings.
Simple stucco ceilings were added inside. Fireplaces and tiled stoves provided warmth. Floors, windows, and doors were renewed.
During Joachim II’s time, his mistress Anna Sydow lived here. She was known as the beautiful foundry woman. Legend says she haunts Jagdschloss Grunewald after midnight. People believed she was walled in alive.
Frederick the Great rejected hunting as a pastime. In 1765, he ordered hunting equipment stored here. The equipment came from the Berlin hunting yard.
In 1814, the Quadriga of the Brandenburg Gate was briefly stored at Grunewald. The French had taken it to Paris during the Napoleonic Wars. After Napoleon’s defeat, it returned to Berlin.
Par force hunts, also known as Red Hunts, revived in 1828. The annual Hubertus hunt became a major event. State guests like Tsar Alexander II attended.
In 1891, the Kotze Affair scandalized the German Empire. An orgy took place at Jagdschloss Grunewald.
Since 1932, Jagdschloss Grunewald has been a museum. It houses furniture from the 17th to 19th centuries. Paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries are also on display. These include works by Lucas Cranach the Elder and Younger.
During World War II, the castle survived bombings. However, looting damaged some artworks. The museum reopened in 1949.
Today, you can explore Berlin’s largest Cranach collection here. You’ll also find German and Dutch paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries. Portraits of Brandenburg-Prussian rulers are on display. Hunting trophies and equipment are also part of the exhibition.
Since 1977, a hunting museum has been located nearby. It features arquebuses, pistols, and trophies.
Jagdschloss Grunewald has served as a film backdrop. It appeared in Creature with the Blue Hand and Wild Geese II. It was also the external backdrop for the children’s series Schloss Einstein.
From hunting lodge to museum, Jagdschloss Grunewald has witnessed centuries of history. Its walls hold stories of electors, kings, mistresses, and scandals. As you leave, remember the echoes of the past that resonate within this remarkable place.