The Großer Bunkerberg reaches a height of 78 meters above sea level, providing one of the highest elevation points in the central city.
The park was laid out by Peter Joseph Lenné, the celebrated landscape architect who also designed the grounds of Sanssouci Park.
During World War II, two massive flak towers were built in the park; they were dynamited and subsequently buried under thousands of tons of rubble to create the present-day hills.
The Fairy Tale Fountain escaped the heavy destruction that befell most of the park's other statues during the war.
The park's 'Peace Bell' was a gift from Japan in 1989 and is housed in a wooden pavilion.
Volkspark Friedrichshain is Berlin’s oldest public municipal park, officially opened in 1848 to commemorate the centennial of the March Revolution. The park covers approximately 52 hectares and is characterized by two large hills, the Großer Bunkerberg and Kleiner Bunkerberg, which were constructed from the rubble of demolished WWII bunkers. It features the notable Märchenbrunnen (Fairy Tale Fountain), an elaborate Neo-Baroque structure built in 1913 adorned with various limestone sculptures. The park grounds include extensive meadows, sports facilities, a pond, and a memorial dedicated to the German anti-fascist resistance. It is situated on the border of the Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg districts. The park remains a primary site for local recreation, hosting an open-air cinema during the summer months. Historical significance is preserved through various monuments, including the Monument to the Polish Soldier and the Antifascist Fighter.
The central path leading to the ornate Fairy Tale Fountain provides the most iconic architectural frame.
Bring a picnic blanket as the park features vast, popular meadow areas for sunbathing.
Visit the hills for a panoramic view of the Berlin TV Tower and the surrounding cityscape.
Check the local program for the Freiluftkino, an open-air cinema operating within the park boundaries during warmer months.
Do not attempt to climb off-trail on the steeper, forested slopes of the bunker hills to prevent soil erosion.
Public consumption of alcohol is legal but should be kept respectful; dispose of all trash in provided bins to protect the natural areas.
