Görlitzer Park · Audio guide
Listen to the story of Görlitzer Park
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Story
On the edge of Kreuzberg, where trains once connected Berlin to Vienna, a park now blooms on the ruins.
Görlitzer Bahnhof opened in eighteen sixty-five. In nineteen thirty-eight,
Hitler passed through its platform on his way back from seizing Czechoslovakia — a turning point before the war that would destroy everything.
The station was destroyed during the Battle of Berlin. By nineteen sixty-one, the Berlin Wall turned the site into a fenced wasteland.
In the nineteen eighties, squatters and artists moved in. Wild plants took over the tracks. The neighborhood fought for a park.
At the end of the nineteen eighties, the park was built on the ruins. They excavated the old underground railway tunnel a ghost from the station's past — and left it exposed, creating a crater in the middle like a natural amphitheater.
On the crater's edge stands a steel sculpture called Schreitender Mensch, fourteen meters tall, made from the old railway tracks.
From station to wasteland to wilderness to park. This is Görlitzer. Download the app and I'll take you there and show you around it.
Visiting Görlitzer Park
- How to get there
- The closest bus stop is Glogauer Straße, 251 meters away. Other nearby stops include Spreewaldplatz (392 meters), Ohlauer Straße (438 meters), and Lausitzer Platz (480 meters).
- Entry and price
- Entry to Görlitzer Park is free.
- What to look for on site
- The park features a Kinderbauernhof (children's farm), sports and playgrounds, two viewpoints, and a small lake.
Frequently asked questions
What is the history of Görlitzer Park?
Görlitzer Park was created in the late 1980s and early 1990s after the demolition of the old Görlitzer Bahnhof railway facilities. The park is located in Kreuzberg, a district that was surrounded by the Berlin Wall on three sides during the Cold War.
What is the Kinderbauernhof?
The Kinderbauernhof is a children's farm located within Görlitzer Park. It was established in the early 1980s by local parents and teachers to provide children with a place to learn about animals and nature.
What is the significance of the sculpture in the park?
The sculpture 'Schreitender Mensch' (Walking Man) by Rüdiger Preisler was installed in 1991. It features giant legs made of steel beams, symbolizing humanity walking without a clear direction.
Is Görlitzer Park safe to visit?
Görlitzer Park is considered a crime-prone area by the Berlin police, with most incidents occurring during the day. There is an ongoing debate about closing the park at night to address safety concerns.
What is the 'crater' in the park?
The 'crater' is a large, round depression in the park, originally part of a tunnel that connected neighborhoods across the railway tracks. The tunnel walls were preserved and incorporated into the park's design.
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