A quiet space in the immediate vicinity of tourist highlights, Monbijoupark also serves as a recreational space for nearby residents. The three hectare park is located directly opposite the historical Museum Island, and forms a link between the UNESCO world heritage site and the municipal quarter around Oranienburger Straße. At the beginning of the 18^th century a small palace with a baroque garden was situated on the current location of the park. After the palace suffered severe damage during the Second World War, the remaining ruins were removed during the GDR years. The green space was turned into a leisure park with a children’s outdoor swimming pool. Between 2006 and 2007 the installation was comprehensively refurbished and overhauled. The local population participated extensively at the planning stage. The central park area was restored and improved, and the park received a riverbank promenade and a new fountain. In the course of the construction work the children’s pool was also rebuilt. In Monbijoupark, sunbathing and ball games are expressly permitted (Imprint: Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung).

An urban character defines the new Berlin Government quarter with its buildings and representative squares. The scene here is characterised not only by federal employees, but also by numerous visitors who are interested in architecture and contemporary history, and who enliven the quarter, as do local residents, who observe the transformation of the city as they stroll through it. The Platz der Republik in front of the Reichstag, the Forum between the Federal Chancellery Building and Paul-Löbe-Haus and the Spreebogenpark are open spaces that connect the government buildings. The northeastern end of the Spreebogenpark borders the Federal Chancellery. It consists of a lawn which slopes upward in the direction of the Spree. A “landscape window” with high steel walls was positioned between two symmetrical, inclined lawn levels. The park can be experienced on two levels: From a raised panoramic path the view is towards the built up city, and from the riverbank level one looks at the Spree and the Humboldthafen. The Platz der Republik, which interfaces between the backdrop of the government buildings and the adjoining Großer Tiergarten, is located in front of the German Bundestag building (Imprint: Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung).

Foto: pixelio/O.Luttmann

The name of this street translates into “Street of June, 17^th” and was given after the events that happened on June 17^th, 1953 in former East Germany: On this day there were massive strikes and demonstrations against the East German regime taking place. Unfortunately the strikes were suppressed by force by the Sowjets backing the then- government. June 17^th was celebrated in Germany as reunification day until 1990.