Nothing going on in Köpenick? Far from it! Berlin’s only island palace sits on an island in the River Dahme. Köpenick Palace thus joins the ranks of other special baroque palaces in the city. But its location on the island is unique in Berlin. And behind its magnificent façade lies not only a royal history, but also one of the spookiest ghost stories in the city! So what could be better for a Halloween outing?
A masterpiece of the Dutch Baroque
Köpenick Castle stands on a castle island in the River Dahme and was even inhabited as early as the 8th century. However, as we know it today, it was only built between 1677 and 1690 for the Elector Frederick III – later King Frederick I of Prussia. The style is characterized by Dutch Baroque. Köpenick Palace is the only one in Berlin to have been preserved in its original Baroque form.
There are several highlights for architecture fans. These include the palace church by Johann Arnold Nering, which was the first Protestant palace church in the Mark Brandenburg. You should also not miss the impressive stucco decorations inside. In fact, they are among the highlights of Baroque art north of the Alps.
Spatial art and splendor in the museum treasure
Today, Köpenick Palace is home to the Museum of Decorative Arts of the National Museums in Berlin. In a permanent exhibition entitled “Works of Spatial Art from the Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo”, you can view the best art from the period on three floors. How did people live back then? Explore the history through the old furniture, silverware and porcelain.
The Hall of Arms is historic and an absolute highlight. In 1730, the court martial that accused the young Crown Prince Frederick (the Great) of desertion took place here: a dramatic event in Prussian history.
Haunting and heartbreak at Köpenick Palace
Despite its beauty, Köpenick Castle is also known for its ghost stories: One of these is the legend of the ghosts of unrequited love. The original extension of the castle for Elector Friedrich came to a halt when his first wife died unexpectedly young in 1683. According to legend, her soul and that of her grieving husband continue to haunt the grounds.
If you want to be really spooked, you should cross the bridge to the castle at nightfall with particular care. This is because the most famous haunted figure is a large, black dog with glowing, plate-sized eyes, which is said to suddenly appear in the darkness. It is particularly often spotted near the castle bridge that connects the island to the mainland… A visit is not for the faint-hearted.