Lilienthal-Gymnasium

Can you imagine a school named after a flight pioneer, yet it doesn’t teach anything about aviation? Right here, before you, stands the Lilienthal-Gymnasium. It’s a fascinating contradiction. Lilienthal-Gymnasium opened its doors in 1896 as the Realschule zu Groß-Lichterfelde, a boys’ school catering to the burgeoning affluent community of Lichterfelde. The school’s name has changed over the years, reflecting the changing times. It was once the Hindenburg-Oberrealschule, honoring President Paul von Hindenburg. In 1938, it became the Lilienthal-Oberschule für Jungen, named after Otto Lilienthal, the renowned German aviation pioneer. Ironically, despite its name, Lilienthal-Gymnasium doesn’t offer aviation courses today. The connection to Lilienthal is somewhat tenuous. Though he lived and worked in Lichterfelde, and his famous Fliegeberg (flying hill) is nearby, he had no direct involvement with the school. His son, however, was among its first students. The school’s guiding principles still echo Lilienthal’s quotes, keeping his spirit alive in a different way. Lilienthal-Gymnasium, even during wartime, managed to survive with minimal damage. The building endured both World Wars, serving various purposes, including as a military hospital in the final days of World War II. After the war, in 1951, as part of Germany’s co-educational movement, girls were admitted. A bronze bust of Otto Lilienthal, originally placed at the Fliegeberg, now graces the front of the school, a reminder of its namesake. In the 1980s, a new building was added, blending seamlessly with the original architecture. Lilienthal-Gymnasium also boasts a renovated sports hall, a vibrant space with light green walls and wood paneling, completed in 2019. Lilienthal-Gymnasium isn’t just a historical landmark. It is a living testament to the evolution of education. It focuses on “Communication and Media,” preparing students for the digital age. It offers a variety of extracurricular activities, from debating clubs and school bands to a student newspaper called “FlugBlatt,” meaning “flyer,” a nod to its aviation-linked name. Here at Lilienthal-Gymnasium, history and modernity intertwine, offering a glimpse into the rich past while embracing the future of education.