90 great minutes in Berlin-Steglitz

The glitter of the shopping street Schlossstraße reminds us of Odysseus tied to the mast of his ship, being drawn by the alluring sounds of the Sirens. The gigantic Schlossstraßencenter is a big retail attraction with numerous offers, but also the many small retailers that are located on this street, do everything to convince shoppers that their wares are essential.
The longer you stay in this department store jungle, this world of consumption and bargains, the harder it is to resist. As you enter the Schlossstraße you can still find buildings like the cinema “Titania Palace”, but as you proceed, the department stores dominate the Boulevard of Berlin and the Forum Steglitz. Only the locals know that a beautiful green area still exists behind the Boulevard of Berlin, somewhere to sit and relax in the sun when you want to have a break from shopping,
The former “shoe road”, as the street used to be known due to the many shoe shops, developed into a cafe street a long time ago. At least, that is the impression I get whilst eating a piece of cake in the traditional Confiserie Reichert. The café opened in 1882, and was for many years the only opportunity to relax tired feet, the result of shopping for shoes on the Schlossstraße. Today it is even easier to relax, thanks to the comfort and the wide variety of cake shops that compete along with Starbucks and small cafés. There is still time for a sweet bite before going further.

A gigantic, brightly painted building appears in the middle of the street: the Bierpinsel. Only Berlin can afford to leave an empty house on this scale in the middle of the city, and transform it into a work of art. Unfortunately, the entrance is blocked, but from the outside it is clear that it‘s something very special.
I have a lot of new ideas for how this huge building could be used, but until they are implemented, the Bierpinsel remains a pure work of art with a value in itself.

Beyond the Bierpinsels, the Schlossstraße moves on in the direction of the Rathaus Steglitz. Here you find small speciality stores like „Spielen Werken Schenken“ at the U-Bahnhof Schlossstraße, who have a well known reputation.
Then at the end of Schlossstraße, countless tourist attractions suddenly appear. The Rathaus Steglitz is in competition with the Department Store ” Das Schloss“, which satisfies every shoppers‘ needs with its countless stores. And the Steglitzer Kreisel, with its numerous office buildings that reaches as a giant skyscraper up into the sky.
I drink a final cup of coffee in the Dahlback Café, which is truly a worthy way to say goodbye to this lively and attractive street, with its 200,000 m² of retail space and its distinctive nature.
It’s incredible how comfortable and personal it feels here when you consider that this VW building once displayed vehicles waiting for a buyer.

Botanischer Garten

Königin-Luise-Str. 6 - 8, 14195 Berlin, Deutschland

The Botanical Garden in Lichterfelde is the largest botanical garden in Germany, with an area of over 43 hectares and around 22,000 different plant species. It belongs to the Free University of Berlin, and has the status of an independent faculty of the central institution.
As soon as you pass “das Schloss “, the sounds of consumers are noticeably quieter. The mood is changed, it is more tranquil. Just a few steps more and you reach the Schlosspark Theatre. From the rooms you hear laughter, and you can recognize yourself in the character on the stage.
In the street „Unter den Eichen“ you immediately become aware of the smells of different fresh flowers. Here life flourishes in the largest botanical garden in Germany. I enjoy the walk through the tranquillity of the garden with its variety of colours, and the many students from the nearby Free University of Berlin, who pursue their biological studies.

Stadtpark Steglitz

Sedanstr., 12167 Berlin, Deutschland

The city park is located in the Steglitz district in the Straßenkarree Klingsorstraße, Albrechtstraße, Hermesweg and the Straße Am Stadtpark. It is divided into two sections by the Sedanstraße. The 17-hectare park was created from 1906 to 1914.
More nature, more places to relax, more to do! So jump on a bus and go to the City Park of Steglitz. Beautiful lakes, huge meadows and numerous playgrounds, football – and basketball fields make up the charm of this park. People play Mölkky or mini golf, jog or cool off in the wonderful splashing fountains. There are hardly any real animals, but the seal character and the stone grasshopper at the fountain make up for that.
I end my trip with a visit to the Gruezi Biergarten. Surrounded by shady trees the Swiss specialties and the cold beer taste particularly good. During the weekend the football takes over and the atmosphere is great. Nowhere else is the Steglitzer life style is more tangible then here.