Lenné-Park Görlsdorf

Garden Design by Peter Joseph Lenné

In the early 19th century, the famous landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné designed the park in Görlsdorf. As General Director of the Royal Prussian Gardens, Lenné played a key role in the design of Potsdam’s parks. In Görlsdorf, he realized his ideal vision of a landscape park in the style of English landscape gardens—a clear departure from the strictly geometric park layouts favored in the 18th century, such as those at Sanssouci or Versailles.

In designing the Görlsdorf Garden, Lenné took his cue from the existing natural landscape, with its forests and the course of the river. Through great horticultural effort, he created a varied landscape intended to appear to visitors as a “walk-through landscape painting.” A hallmark of Lenné’s style is the use of sightlines that offer deliberate views of the surrounding meadows, groups of trees, and hills—a typical feature of his design concept.

From Pariser Platz to Görlsdorf

The park was commissioned by the Princely Family of Redern, who had owned Görlsdorf and the surrounding estates since 1632. The family was among the wealthiest Prussian landowners of its time. Friedrich Wilhelm, Count of Redern, the head of the family at the time, held high offices at the royal court. His city palace, designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, was located in a prominent spot on Pariser Platz in Berlin, where the Hotel Adlon stands today.

At the beginning of the 19th century, Friedrich Wilhelm von Redern had the existing Görlsdorf manor house converted into a stately family residence by the architect Carl Ferdinand Langhans (or Knoblauch, according to some sources). The castle served as a summer residence, where noble friends and the Prussian royal family were entertained with great pomp and ceremony. Toward the end of the century, another extensive renovation was carried out by the architect Ferdinand Schorbach.

The princely family retained ownership of the estate until the end of World War II. After they fled to the West, the castle was destroyed by a fire under circumstances that remain unclear to this day.

Rediscovery of the Lenné Park

During the GDR era, Görlsdorf Park fell into obscurity and became increasingly overgrown. It was not until after the political transition that it was rediscovered thanks to the efforts of a support association. With great dedication and attention to detail, the historic park was restored according to Lenné’s plans.

Today, the association is responsible for maintaining and further expanding the park—and invites all visitors to discover this idyllic place with its eventful history.

The park is worth a visit any time of year and is perfect for relaxing walks.