I love how Berlin is a human place. The city feels alive and welcoming. One of my favorite spots in Berlin is the Park am Gleisdreieck. This park is interesting because it was built on an abandoned railway yard. The park opened in 2011 and has become very popular. It covers 31 hectares and has something for everyone. There are playgrounds, sports areas, and places for picnics. The park is great for adults and children.
In Berlin, if there is an empty space to build something, they usually build something that the citizens can enjoy. For example, Park am Gleisdreieck is a huge green lung that was first opened to the public in 2011 and hasn’t stopped expanding since.
Park Gleisdreieck is a large park in the city center (although, as we previously explained, Berlin has no actual center), where the old rail tracks that connected the German capital with the country’s south were once laid.
Gleisdreieck Park, which roughly translates as “Railway Triangle,” spans some 31.5 hectares between the districts of Berlin-Kreuzberg and Berlin-Schöneberg. It is limited by the Landwehr Canal, Yorckstraße, and Monumentenbrücke.
This once busy rail link, the oldest part of which dates back to 1839, was heavily bombed by the Allied Forces during World War II, leaving it practically useless and with most of its overground stations destroyed.
The Allied strategic bombing of Germany during World War II (1939-45) involved British and U.S. bomber planes attacking industrial cities, factories, railways, airfields, and dams.
One of these stations was the famous Anhalter Bahnhof, once the main passenger terminal on the railway line that connected Berlin with the main cities in southern Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, and Italy. It was from this very place from which 55,000 Berliner Jews were deported to the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp.
Today, only a piece of the facade of the Anhalter station still stands.
Despite being in West Berlin, the now abandoned railway area suffered the authorities’ neglect during the Cold War and remained a sort of “no man’s land” for decades. In fact, until not long ago, the entire area was fenced and closed to the public, covered by the weeds and trees growing among the many tracks and the few buildings that survived the War falling apart.
With the construction of this park, Berlin gained a great and central green area with lawned gardens and woodland, wooden benches, and playgrounds. The park is also fully accessible and has winding paths for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as an area to practice skateboarding.
One of the main features of Park am Gleisdreieck is the existence of Gleiswildnis, or “wilderness tracks,” built using old railroad tracks as a frame.
It is also possible to find old supply buildings, catenary poles, and the occasional old piece of machinery used to change tracks.
For residents of the adjacent neighborhoods and the business people working in nearby Potsdamer Platz, this park means a real improvement in their quality of life.
It is always good to know that in the middle of the big city, there are still places where you can escape from everyday life, recharge energy, or simply find relaxation.
Park am Gleisdreieck: Useful Information for Your Visit
Park am Gleisdreieck is a large urban park in Berlin, Germany. The park is built on the site of old railway tracks that were once part of the city’s complex rail system. The park covers around 31 hectares and features open lawns, playgrounds, sports fields, and gardens.
The main areas of the park are East Park and West Park. East Park has large grassy areas, perfect for picnics and sunbathing. There are also several sports fields, including basketball courts and football pitches. West Park has smaller lawns and more wooded areas, which provide a relaxing atmosphere.
Fountains, benches, and walking paths are throughout the park. A popular café serves snacks and drinks. It can get quite busy in summer, but there is always space to relax somewhere.
There are several playgrounds with swings, slides, and climbing frames for kids. The park is also friendly to cyclists, with many bike paths crossing the area.
The easiest way to reach Park am Gleisdreieck is by public transport. Take the U1 or U2 line to the Gleisdreieck station. The park entrance is located just a short walk from the station exit. You can also take bus lines M29 or M41, which stop near the park. If you prefer riding a bike, bike paths lead directly to the park.