Just over 10 hectares in size, Lietzenseepark in Charlottenburg is located very close to the exhibition grounds. It is bordered to the north by Kaiserdamm, to the west by the Ringbahn, to the south by the Stadtbahn and to the east by Suarzstrasse.
The park was created from 1918 – 20 by Erwin Barth (garden director). Since 1990 the Lietzenseepark is a listed garden. In the middle of the park is the Lietzensee.
Lietzensee
In the Lietzenseepark lies the crescent-shaped Lietzensee. The lake is about 6.6 hectares and about 4 meters deep. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to swim in the lake because of the water quality.
According to legend, the village of Lützow (Lietzow) existed on the exact spot where the lake is today. It sank in the lake, why is not known. When fishermen were still casting their nets here, they allegedly bumped into the church spire with their boat from time to time. The nets are also said to have become entangled, so the lake would not be suitable for fishing.
True, the name Lietzensee comes from the village Lietzow, which was incorporated into the city of Charlottenburg around 1719. The lake belonged to a Benedictine convent and the nuns used it as a fish pond.
The lake is fed only by groundwater, the outflow is underground into the Spree. In 1824, Job von Witzleben (who was once Prussian Minister of State and War) purchased Lietzensee and had a park laid out. After his death, an art gardener acquired the site in 1840. His rose and georgia cultivation made the park special. Since everyone was allowed to enter the grounds, it quickly developed into a popular excursion destination.
Until 1904 there was still a large Lietzensee. Due to the filling of a dam for the Neue Kantstraße, the lake divided into a northern and a southern half. Since 1954, one can reach both lake areas through an underpass. The connecting canal between the lake halves also runs here.
From 1905, the first distinguished tenement houses were built on the eastern bank. Fortunately, a resolution prevented the complete development of the waterfront.
Walk in Lietzenseepark
I start my little tour at the south end of the park. Here ends the development and one comes directly into the park.
The master gardener Erwin Barth had the Lietzensee Park laid out in Art Nouveau style in 1918-1920. The Great Cascade at the south end of the lake is particularly beautiful. After extensive renovation, it shines in its former glory. I especially like the beautiful planting. While standing by the rippling water you can look out over the lake. A place of peace and relaxation!
From here you can now walk along the shore of the lake, relax on a park bench or lie on the lawn and enjoy the sun. The view over the lake has a very relaxing effect on me, a small oasis in the middle of the big city.
The tunnel under Neue Kantstraße leads to the second half of the lake.
In the northwest of the park, the Little Cascade has been created. Unfortunately, this did not carry water during my tour.
During the tour you will also pass the park guard house that Rudolf Walter built in 1924/25.
If you not only enjoy the beautiful view of the lake during your walk, you will also discover the monuments and sculptures that are scattered around the park. There are very different works to see, such as a memorial to the fallen or the sandal-solving boy (sculptor Fritz Röll). There is even a birdbath with two seals.
A little further along the shore path, you come to a small café directly on the lake. If you sit here on the sun terrace, you can see the Berlin radio tower. Unfortunately, the lakeside path also ends here. A complete circumnavigation is not possible.
I always enjoy strolling through the park again. The walk doesn’t take long and yet afterwards you feel refreshed and relaxed.
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