Börnicke: Village Church, Fire Station Theatre and Park History

For a stay in Börnicke, you can choose from a range of themes, including cultural history, parkland and trails in the Barnim Nature Park. The village church, palace complex and fire station theatre represent different facets of the town; events by the village pond and the brewery taproom add local cultural and culinary offerings. Whether you focus on an event date, architectural and landscape history, or a walking or cycling route will shape your plans.

Village Church, Palace and Theatre

The village church in Börnicke preserves a church elders’ pew from 1679, a rare feature in the region. Its depictions of the Apostles and biblical quotations make it a notable detail of the church’s furnishings. Guided tours are offered on the first Sunday of every month, after the service, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. At other times, tours can be arranged by telephone at 03338 70220.

Börnicke Palace was remodelled in the neoclassical style between 1909 and 1911. The project was commissioned by banker Paul von Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, who created the palace together with architect Bruno Paul. Since 1992, the palace complex has been listed as a monument of architectural and cultural significance in the State of Brandenburg’s monument register. At the village church, the church elders’ pew dates back to 1679, while the palace’s remodelling in the early 20th century provides its historical reference point.

The fire station theatre has the character of a parlour theatre from around 1900 and is considered Brandenburg’s smallest performance venue. Its programme includes fairy-tale productions with puppets, staged readings, chamber music and modern jazz. As seating is limited, the theatre asks visitors to reserve in advance. The two cultural venues can therefore also be distinguished by their respective focus: the church’s preserved historical furnishings and the theatre’s varied programme.

Park History and Trails

The landscape park in Börnicke dates from the second half of the 19th century. A large pond defines its northeastern section. In the past, a network of numerous winding paths led through the park, offering changing views of the water. The creation of the palace park is also connected with the history of the pond: the park could only be laid out after the Eichbusch Pond was drained into the Panke River towards Bernau in 1871.

For journeys on foot or by bike, trails lead from a railway station in Bernau to Börnicke and onward into the Barnim Nature Park. One specifically named route option is the 19-kilometre Way of St James from Werneuchen via Börnicke and Löhme to Seefeld. It is marked with a yellow and a green stripe, and in some places also with a scallop shell as a Way of St James symbol. Check the markings before setting out. The routes from Bernau and the Way of St James differ, in the details given here, mainly in their respective starting and ending points.

Events and Brewing Culture

The Stork Festival in Börnicke takes place every year in May; individual programme items may change. The association “KulturGut e. V. Börnicke” holds film screenings, workshops and Advent markets by the village pond. Alongside the town’s established historical attractions, there are also events for which the timing of your stay matters. If you are planning to visit for the Stork Festival, check the dates and programme in advance.

The brewery of the First Bernau Brewing Cooperative is located in the building of the estate’s former distillery in the Börnicke district. The “Zum Braugenossen” brewery taproom serves beers brewed on site. Its regular varieties include “Ein Bernauer”, a pale full-bodied beer; “Kantor”, a dark lager; and “Rathaus”, a pale ale. Seasonal offerings may vary. In this way, Börnicke brings together the village church, theatre and palace history with parkland, events and regional brewing culture in a compact area.

Discover more destinations: Schönow, Lindow.

Return to the main travel overview: Bernau Bei Berlin.