A triangular green space. That’s Schleidenplatz. Nestled in Berlin’s Friedrichshain district this unassuming square holds a surprising history. Schleidenplatz wasn’t always a park. It started as a simple intersection. The Rigaer Pettenkofer and Waldeyer streets met. They created a triangular space. This was between 1874 and 1881.
For almost a century Schleidenplatz was just an ordinary playground. Not many people cared about it. Then in 2004 something changed. The district invested 580000 Euros. They transformed the neglected space. They involved local residents in the planning. The result is the Schleidenplatz we see today. It’s a small green oasis. It has a playground and a skate park. Traffic calming measures now make it much safer and more pleasant.
The name Schleidenplatz honors Matthias Jacob Schleiden. He was a botanist. Schleiden was a co-founder of cell theory. He was among the first German botanists to accept Darwin’s theory of evolution. His legacy lives on. It lives on in the name of this revitalized Berlin square.
Schleidenplatz isn’t just about plants and science. It also has a rich social history. At one corner there used to be a mural. The artist was Hans Joachim Eggstein. He painted it in 1987. The mural showed people looking out of their windows. Sadly it was lost during a recent redevelopment. But new art appeared. A striking graffiti of a flying carpet now decorates a different corner.
A notable building is located at Schreinerstrasse 32 and Waldeyerstrasse 5. This once-listed building was extensively renovated. It’s a solid four-story brick building. It has a few neoclassical facade elements. It consists of a front and back house with side wings. After the renovations though the Senate removed it from the list of protected monuments. Too little of the original remained.
Today Schleidenplatz is a vibrant reminder of Berlin’s past and present. It’s a place where history and nature meet. Where art and community blend. It’s a small but significant green space in the heart of Friedrichshain. A place to pause reflect and discover its unique character. Remember its transformation from neglected area to lively community hub. That’s the story of Schleidenplatz.