Köllnischer Park, Public park in Mitte, Germany
Köllnischer Park is a small one-hectare green space along the Spree River in central Berlin featuring stone artworks, sculptures, and a former animal enclosure. The park combines open green areas with an open-air museum displaying historical stone fragments and architectural relics from different periods of Berlin's past.
The site began as a military fortress strengthened by Frederick William in the 17th century before becoming a public park between 1869 and 1873. The bear enclosure was added later, constructed from 1938 to 1939 to house Berlin's official city bears.
The Lapidarium within this park displays historical stone artworks and sculptures gathered from across Berlin that might otherwise have been lost. Visitors can observe fragments from buildings and artistic pieces that tell stories of the city's past.
The park is accessible through Märkisches Museum U-Bahn station and has multiple entrances along Wallstraße. It is a small, easily walkable space that works well for a brief visit while exploring other nearby sites.
The bear pit was home to Berlin's official city bears, including Schnute, who was the last remaining bear and died in 2015. This peculiar tradition of keeping bears in the heart of the city lasted more than a century and left an unusual mark on this small green space.
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