A Horticultural Journey Across the Globe — Katrin Figge

When I was still living in Jakarta, one of the things I missed most about Germany was to be able to take long walks. The city was anything but pedestrian-friendly with a lack of sidewalks and streets filled with potholes. Add to that the pollution, and walking anywhere was not a pleasure, but a struggle.

Moving back to Berlin allowed me to once more conquer a city on foot, especially given the fact that I have a dog who enjoys his daily walks as much as I do. Berlin is a rich city when it comes to parks, lakes and green spaces.

Gardens of the World in Berlin-Marzahn has been on my to-go list for quite some time. Covering 43 hectares, it features a range of garden styles from different eras and parts of the world. Whether you are an admirer of intricate garden design or simply enjoy long walks (or both), this site is a welcome refuge from bustling city life.

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in the gardens, so I set out to explore Gardens of the World by myself on a recent October morning to what was once “Erholungspark Marzahn”. The name of the site was changed to Gardens of the World last year, when it hosted the IGA 2017 (an international horticultural exhibition). On this occasion, Gardens of the World was also extended to more than twice its original size.

The name of the site was changed to Gardens of the World last year, when it hosted the IGA 2017

Gardens of the World invites visitors on a horticultural journey across the globe: all continents and various garden and landscaping artistry have found a home here. Among my favorites were the Christian Garden, the Oriental Garden, the Chinese Garden and the Italian Renaissance Garden, to name only a few. I was pleasantly surprised to come across the Balinese Garden with a Hindu temple inside; however, I must admit that having seen the real thing, it doesn’t compare - but that is true for all the other themed gardens as well and surely shouldn’t diminish the appeal of Gardens of the World.

I visited on a weekday and arrived shortly after they opened, and therefore it felt like I had the whole park almost to myself. I hardly crossed paths with anyone else; I mostly encountered gardeners who lovingly watered and took care of the plants and trees, smiling at me and wishing me a wonderful day ahead - which only added to my feeling of general content and happiness as I strolled from one point of interest to the next. Benches and chairs are scattered across the whole park, inviting visitors to take a quick break and rest their legs.

The cable car, which was specifically installed for the IGA 2017, takes visitors up to the viewing platform “Wolkenhain”. (If you are afraid of heights, make sure not to enter the cable car with the see-through glass floor.) The ride in the cable car only takes a few minutes, and the view from the top is pleasant enough. However, since the cable car is not included in the entrance fee and visitors need to pay extra, I wouldn’t necessarily include it in the must-do activities at Gardens of the World.

Of course, the park also houses a couple of restaurants and cafes, including a tea house, a Japanese Garden cafe and Italian restaurant Giardino Verde. My heart skipped a beat when I discovered “Warung Bali” on the map, but unfortunately it was still closed since I visited early in the morning. It matters not. In fact, it is all the more reason to come back and indulge in some Indonesian food, and discover the rest of the park - because even though I spent a couple of hours in the Gardens of the World, I still haven't seen it all.

Click here for more information about Gardens of the World.