In its history, Berlin has been the scene of pretty much every typical historical event that spontaneously comes to mind. Its extremely turbulent history perfectly mirrors that of the whole of Germany – one more reason why Berlin is the ideal capital city! Many larger and smaller castles have been preserved, particularly from its time as the seat of the emperor. We have summarized the most worth seeing for you!
Palaces in Berlin: Grunewald Hunting Lodge
The hunting lodge in Grunewald dates back to the 16th century and exudes plenty of historical charm. It may not be a large castle, but its rustic charm and woodland setting add to its historical appeal. It may be one of the smaller castles in Berlin, but it’s still perfect for a little Sunday outing!
Charlottenburg Palace
Berlin’s largest and probably most magnificent palace is located in the district of the same name. Built in the late 17th century as a summer residence for Sophie Charlotte, the wife of Frederick III, the palace is particularly impressive with its unique Baroque and Rococo architecture.
Severely damaged during the Second World War, the opulent chambers and gardens were preserved through extensive restoration work. The palace looks back on a rich history – from its days as a Prussian royal residence to its current use as a museum. In winter there is also a very nice Christmas market!
Palaces in Berlin: Marble Palace
The marble palace in Potsdam, commissioned by Frederick William II at the end of the 18th century, presents itself in neoclassical elegance on the banks of the Holy Lake.
As part of the New Garden complex, it is a cultural landmark that reflects the aesthetic taste of its time in all its splendor.
Bellevue Castle
Also built in the late 18th century, the palace on Berlin’s Tiergarten served as the residence of the Prussian royal family for a long time. It has retained its official function to this day, even though it no longer serves as a residence for kings and emperors, but as the official residence of the German Federal President. In contrast to many other palaces in Berlin, there are only very limited opportunities to visit here due to this function. Guided tours are offered and can be booked around nine months in advance.
Köpenick Castle
The origins of the castle date back to the 16th century, when it was first built as a hunting lodge. Over the course of time, it was rebuilt several times and developed into a Renaissance-style castle with its characteristic red bricks. The picturesque location on an island in the River Dahme adds to its charm and creates a tranquil and inspiring atmosphere, perfect for a Sunday outing!
A special feature of Köpenick Palace is its connection with the Kunstgewerbemuseum, a museum of decorative arts and design, which is housed in the palace. Here you will find a diverse collection of objects, including furniture, ceramics, textiles and more, which will give you an insight into the artistic and cultural trends of different eras.
Castle on the Peacock Island
Peacock Island itself is an exciting place to visit, with plenty of historical landmarks as well as the birds that give it its name. Among them is the small castle, which is located right on the banks of the Havel. It was built in 1794 by King Frederick William II for himself and his mistress. The timber-framed building clad with wooden planks looks like the romantic backdrop of a ruin.
The interior, on the other hand, surprises with a certain South Sea look, which manifests itself, for example, in a tower room designed as a bamboo hut. This peculiarity is due to a trend at the time – the South Sea island of Tahiti had been discovered just over 20 years before the palace was built and its descriptions inspired the king to design his own “exotic” paradise. Real palm trees were later brought to the island for this -funfact-, but they perished when the Palm House burned down in 1880. And then there is the story of the curse of the alchemist who practiced “black magic” on Peacock Island….