Imagine Lichtenberg not just as a place but as a storybook. Its pages are filled with tales of villages melding into a city. Lichtenberg is Berlin’s eleventh district. It was formed in 2001. It was created through the fusion of the former districts of Lichtenberg and Hohenschönhausen.
Lichtenberg’s story stretches back centuries. The area saw recurring settlements. These settlements occurred before the medieval German occupation. Falkenberg appears in a 1370 document. Marie-Elisabeth von Humboldt acquired Rittergut Falkenberg in 1791. She was the mother of Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt. She was buried in the Falkenberger Church.
The village of Lichtenberg emerged around 1230. This happened during the German colonization of Barnim. It was first mentioned on May 24, 1288. This was in a border agreement. In 1344, Malchow was mentioned in a document. Ludwig the Elder of Brandenburg made a donation. Paul von Fuchs had Schloss Malchow built in 1684. Wartenberg was first mentioned in 1270. Otto von Voss acquired Wartenberg in 1783. He constructed a manor house.
In 1920, Lichtenberg became part of Greater Berlin. It merged with Biesdorf and Friedrichsfelde. Kaulsdorf, Mahlsdorf, and Marzahn also joined. Hellersdorf and Wuhlgarten were included. This formed Berlin’s 17th administrative district.
Lichtenberg faced changes in 1938. Friedrichsberg and part of Boxhagen-Rummelsburg were ceded. They went to Friedrichshain. The population decreased. In 1965, Lichtenberg had 168,897 residents. This number decreased in 1979. Biesdorf, Hellersdorf, Kaulsdorf, Mahlsdorf, and Marzahn were separated. They formed the new district of Marzahn.
After the Berlin Senate’s decision in 2001. Lichtenberg merged with Hohenschönhausen. The district was initially named Lichtenberg-Hohenschönhausen. It was renamed Lichtenberg on June 1, 2001. Neu-Hohenschönhausen was created from parts of Malchow. Wartenberg and Falkenberg were also included. The former Hohenschönhausen was renamed Alt-Hohenschönhausen.
Lichtenberg is home to the Tierpark Berlin. It opened in 1955. It evolved from the Friedrichsfelde Palace Park. The Landschaftspark Herzberge is a protected area. It is used for grazing Rauhwolligen Pommerschen sheep. The Stadtpark Lichtenberg was created in the early 19th century. General Wichard von Möllendorff designed it.
The Rummelsburger See is a Spree bay. It is 1.6 km long. Numerous industrial companies settled on its banks. This happened before German reunification. The lake remains heavily contaminated as of 2023.
As you explore Lichtenberg. Remember its story of growth and change. From a collection of villages to a vibrant Berlin district. Lichtenberg continues to evolve and surprise.