Places steeped in history can be found on (almost) every street corner in Berlin. Many of them have been rebuilt and redesigned, so that the face of the capital is constantly shifting between old and new. Humboldthain is one of them: The park was originally created in 1869 in honor of the natural scientist Alexander von Humboldt on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Today it is a 29-hectare public park in Mitte and one of the most popular parks in Berlin.
Pure nature: what the Humboldthain has to offer
Humboldthain was redesigned after 1948. Over the years, more and more attractions have been added that make the park so worth living in today. In the rose garden, you can find the peace and quiet you need in the hustle and bustle of the city. The water garden is also popular: the watercourse meanders through the grounds and forms small pools. If you fancy even more water, head to the summer pool on the western edge of the park and try out the diving facility and large slide.
But the Humboldthain is also well worth a visit when the weather turns cold and winter arrives in Berlin. Children will find adventure playgrounds all year round. And on the small bunker hill in the south of the park, you can go tobogganing in the snow. But that’s not all: Berlin’s notorious club scene is also located in Humboldthain. The club of the same name right next to the park is a great place to party weekend after weekend.
Something new from the destruction: how Humboldthöhe came about
The Humboldthain’s biggest feature and most visible historical testimony is the Humboldthöhe and the ruins of the former flak tower. During the Second World War, between 1941 and 1942 to be precise, huge pairs of anti-aircraft towers were built in the park. They were used to defend Berlin’s airspace and also as high-rise bunkers for up to 15,000 citizens.
After the end of the war, the French Allies tried to blow up part of the towers – the combat bunker. But this only worked halfway. The southern half collapsed, but the northern half remained standing. This was because there was concern that the nearby Ringbahn tracks could be damaged.
In the years following the war, around 1.6 million cubic meters of rubble and industrial debris from the destroyed Berlin was piled on top of the collapsed half. And lo and behold, Berlin had already created something new from the rubble and ashes: The 84.5 meter high Humboldthöhe.
Between history and nature conservation: the ruins today
Today, you can enjoy a panoramic view from the Humboldthöhe. There is a viewing platform on the remaining stump of the bunker, which offers a sweeping view over the north of Berlin. And for climbing enthusiasts, the German Alpine Club has come up with something special: the outer walls of the preserved flak tower have been converted into a climbing wall.
The Berliner Unterwelten e.V. association offers guided tours through the cleared parts of the bunker to bring the history of this “concrete witness” to life. In winter, however, this is limited due to some of the flak tower’s special inhabitants. Hundreds of bats now hibernate inside. This also makes the bunker an important natural monument.
The Humboldthain does not hide its warlike and long past. The bunker is also home to the memorial to German unity, which was inaugurated on the sixth anniversary of the building of the Berlin Wall. In addition to recreation and plenty of greenery, the park invites visitors to remember – and learn from – its dark history.