Grün Berlin Gärten der Welt One of Berlin’s not so best-kept secrets is its many parks and gardens. Die Gärten der Welt (Gardens of the World), are hidden away in the unlikely area of MarzahnHellersdorf. TEXT: JESSICA RIDDER | PHOTOS: GRÜN BERLIN
Beate Reuber, senior park manager of Gärten der Welt says: “The specialty and beauty of the Gardens of the World, lies in their gardens from different cultures. Very authentic and traditional gardens from Asia, the Orient and Europe invite you to sojourn and admire.” The former recreational park Marzahn presents this stunning garden art from around the world. It began in 1987 when the Park arose out of the horticultural show Berliner Gartenschau (Berlin Garden Show) for the 750th anniversary of the City. In 2012 the Gärten der Welt received the Green Flag Award, awarded only to the best parks and gardens in England and Wales. Reuber says: “Every year we are delighted again, when everything blooms so beautifully, as it does at the moment, and visitors can admire this.” The first attraction, a Chinese garden, was added in 2000 as a result of the town twinning agreement between Berlin and Beijing.
38 | Issue 4 | June 2013
The Garten des wiedergewonnenen Mondes (Garden of the Reclaimed Moon) is Germany’s largest Chinese garden and symbolizes the reunification of Berlin. From the materials used, to the work carried out by skilled Chinese artisans, the garden is completely authentic. Gradually more gardens were added, each of them a piece of art in its own tradition. The Garten des zusammenfließenden Wassers (Garden of Merging Water) features typical Japanese plants. There’s also a Balinese Garden and an Oriental Garden, which represents the garden traditions of several oriental countries.The Korean Seoul Garden was a generous gift from the city of Seoul to Berlin. The Karl-Foerster- Staudengarten (Perennial Garden) is an example of the art of gardening in Germany in the early 20th Century. The Italian Renaissance Garden shows one of the earliest examples of garden architecture in Europe
Top: Chinese tea house. Grün Berlin Bottom: Sunrise japanese garden. Gardens of the world
and conveys the magic of Tuscany’s famous gardens. The Christlicher Garten (Christian Garden) is designed on the prototype of a cloister garden. Reuber explains:“Many visitors have their personal favourite, and are willing to travel far to enjoy the garden. Some visitors simply love the diversity of culture and gardens.” And more is planned, with the opening of the English Cottage Garden in 2015. In 2017 the Gärten der Welt becomes a part of the IGA Berlin 2017 GmbH (International Garden Exhibition).