Usually, you have to choose: When the weather is nice, should you go on a cultural outing or a nature excursion? It’s rare to find places that combine fascinating art with green retreats . But rare doesn’t mean never. For example, just about 35 minutes from Halensee, you can discover a sculpture garden with direct access to the lake, or experience historic architecture and lush greenery at the same time in Berlin’s artists’ colony. Another special tip is the KÖNIG GALERIE: Located in the former Catholic Church of St. Agnes in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district, it combines spectacular exhibition spaces with a sculpture garden open to the public.
The KÖNIG GALERIE is one of the most renowned galleries for contemporary art in Europe. St. Agnes Church opened in 1967 and is now considered one of the most significant examples of Berlin Brutalism. Since 2015, the building has been used by the KÖNIG GALERIE as an international center for contemporary art. The former church garden was transformed into a sculpture garden in 2016 and has been an integral part of the exhibition concept ever since.
The sculpture garden is located behind the former church and blends nature with large-scale contemporary art. Instead of traditional flower beds, visitors can expect rotating installations and sculptures by internationally renowned artists. The works stand in striking contrast to the church’s distinctive concrete architecture and take on a new look depending on the season and the angle of the light.
In recent years, works by Jeppe Hein, Alicja Kwade, Tatiana Trouvé, Erwin Wurm, Camille Henrot, and the artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset , among others, have been presented there. Since the garden is regularly re-curated, the installations change on an ongoing basis.
Current Exhibitions (Summer 2026)
In the summer of 2026, the KÖNIG GALERIE will present, among other things, theexhibition “YOU ARE NEVER REALLY ALONE” by Jeppe Hein, which runs through August 23. Also on view will be the exhibition “WUNDERKAMMER” by Tue Greenfort, “LEAVE A MESS AGE” by Hugo Ruyant, and the group exhibition “HUMANSCALE.”
The group exhibition “HUMANSCALE” has been on view in the sculpture garden since June 2026 and runs through October 31, 2026. It brings together contemporary sculptures by internationally renowned artists such as Erwin Wurm, Julian Opie, Jeppe Hein, and Stephan Balkenhol. The focus is on the human figure— interpreted from a wide variety of artistic perspectives. Set against the striking brutalist architecture of the former St. Agnes Church and the lush garden landscape, an extraordinary dialogue unfolds between art, architecture, and nature, making the exhibition one of Berlin’s most exciting open-air art experiences.
