Koenigssee

Nestled amidst the elegant villas of Berlin’s Grunewald district lies the Koenigssee. It’s a tranquil oasis, a world away from the bustling city. But the Koenigssee hides a secret. It wasn’t always the serene lake you see today. At the turn of the 20th century, this area was a marshy, swampy expanse. The Koenigssee was artificially created to drain this soggy land, transforming it into the picturesque centerpiece of the exclusive Grunewald colony. The Koenigssee is one of four lakes within this glacial valley, part of a chain known as the Grunewaldseenkette. Its elongated shape spans roughly 2.2 hectares. Primarily fed by groundwater, the Koenigssee also receives rainwater that falls upon its surface and the surrounding streets. A channel, spanned by the charmingly named Hasensprungbrücke (Hare’s Leap Bridge), connects it directly to the Dianasee to the southwest. Around 400 meters to the northeast, beyond the residences that line the shore, lies the Halensee. A pipeline carries water from the Koenigssee to this larger neighbor. The Koenigssee is a key link in the Grunewaldseenkette. It connects to the Herthasee to the southeast, forming a perpendicular branch. The Herthasee is the last in a side chain of lakes that extends eastward, passing through the Hubertussee, Fennsee, and Volkspark Wilmersdorf, finally reaching the Rathaus Schöneberg. This smaller glacial runoff channel originally flowed into the main Grunewald valley at the Koenigssee. Now, a canal beneath the Koenigsalleebrücke continues the connection between the Koenigssee and Herthasee. Adding to the Koenigssee’s charm, a magnificent copper beech tree stands on the property at Koenigsallee 27a. Designated as a natural monument, it offers a touch of wild beauty to this carefully planned landscape. The Koenigssee takes its name from banker and patron of the arts, Felix Koenigs, who played a significant role in developing the Grunewald villa colony. The adjacent Koenigsallee, once known as Grunewaldallee, is a quiet street that has been home to numerous prominent figures. It was here, at the intersection of Erdener Straße and Koenigsallee, that Walther Rathenau, the then-Foreign Minister, was tragically assassinated in 1922. As you stroll along the Koenigssee’s shores, remember the transformation from swamp to sanctuary. Appreciate the vision of its creators, and the ongoing efforts to preserve this unique urban oasis.