If you are looking to visit a palace, Marzahn-Hellersdorf might not be the first destination on the list. Head to the historical palace of Schloss Biesdorf, however, and you’ll find a perfect setting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Even from a distance you can see the unmistakable octagonal tower of this classicist palace, which sits in 14 hectares of parkland on the Barnim Plateau area of high ground. Designed by architect Heino Schmieden – who also worked on the Gropius Bau museum – Biesdorf was partially destroyed in 1945 and has been extensively renovated in recent years. Nowadays, the municipal gallery hosts art exhibitions as well as a permanent collection documenting the history of the 1868 house. An extensive program of concerts, guided tours, artist talks, lectures and literary events take place in its historic grounds.
Once you have arrived from the city center – Biesdorf is just 30 minutes from Friedrichstraße – sit back with some coffee and cake on the sun terrace. Afterwards take a walk through the park – a design from Eduard Neide, who was a director at the Tiergarten and a student of Peter Joseph Lenné. Then, check out the pond and historic ice cellar. In the warmer months, concerts and other open-air events are held in the grounds as part of the Biesdorfer Parkbühne. Best of all: admission to the gallery’s exhibitions is free of charge.
Text: Alison Musch / Photos: Cee Cee Creative for VisitBerlin
This feature is part of Into Berlin, an initiative from visitBerlin in cooperation with Cee Cee, funded by the Senate Department for Culture and Europe.
Schloss Biesdorf, Alt-Biesdorf 55, 12683 Berlin–Marzahn-Hellersdorf; map
Sat–Thu 10–18h, Fri 12–21h, Tue closed.
@schlossbiesdorf
