Tiergarten

The Großer Tiergarten, commonly known simply as Tiergarten, is Berlin’s largest urban park. Covering about 210 hectares, it sits in the central part of the city within the borough of Mitte and serves as a green corridor linking the government quarter with western parts of the city. The park is traversed by major avenues and connects several neighborhoods, landmarks, and cultural spaces.

Historically, the site originated as a royal hunting ground for the Electors of Brandenburg in the 16th century. It was gradually redesigned and opened to the public during the 18th and 19th centuries, with further landscaping and roadway work added in the late 19th century. The park sustained damage during World War II and was rebuilt in the postwar period, with many features restored or updated in the decades that followed.

The park’s landscape combines lawns, woodlands, and water features, offering extensive paths for walking and cycling. It contains monuments and sculptures, including the Victory Column (Siegessäule), and hosts a variety of recreational facilities such as cafés, playgrounds, and open spaces for events and sports. The Straße des 17. Juni runs through a portion of the Tiergarten, linking key city sights and districts.

Surrounding the park are important parts of Berlin’s urban fabric, including the government district with the Reichstag building and Bellevue Palace. The Tiergarten lends its name to the adjacent Tiergarten district, a central and historic area of Berlin. The park is well served by public transport and remains a popular destination for residents and visitors alike, used for leisure, tours, demonstrations, and seasonal activities.