Großbeeren: Places of Remembrance and Architecture

In Großbeeren, places commemorating the 1813 battle, a building by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, and a testament to Berlin’s urban history come together. The town thus offers several distinct historical perspectives: remembrance of the battle, Neo-Gothic architecture, and an industrial past. If you are looking for a destination with a cultural focus, these themes can be explored through clearly identified buildings and sites.

Memorial Tower and Bülow Pyramid

The Großbeeren Memorial Tower is 32 meters high and was built in 1913 to mark the 100th anniversary of the battle. The museum on the ground floor commemorates the Battle of Großbeeren on August 23, 1813. In good weather, the view from the observation platform extends more than 30 kilometers across the countryside. The tower, exhibition, and views thus combine a direct connection to history with a landscape perspective.

Another memorial is the Bülow Pyramid on Windmill Hill. It was built in 1906 and is dedicated to General von Bülow. An annual event is also linked to this site: during the Victory Festival at the end of August, the Bülow Memorial Run starts and finishes at the pyramid. As the exact festival program may vary, it is advisable to check the event dates before your trip.

Schinkel Church and Architectural History

The Protestant Schinkel Church in Großbeeren was built between 1818 and 1820 in the Neo-Gothic style, based on a design by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The interior furnishings were also made according to his plans. The church was presented to King Frederick William III as a gift of thanks for the victory at the Battle of Großbeeren. Its floor plan is shaped like a Greek cross. Neo-Gothic refers to the style of the design; the term Greek cross describes the shape of the floor plan. Compared with the characteristic fieldstone churches in neighboring towns, Schinkel Church stands out for its unusual exterior.

Sewage Irrigation Site and Getting Around

Another aspect of the town’s history is the decommissioned Großbeeren sewage irrigation site, an important testament to Berlin’s urban history. Its most important components have been listed since 1999. The site lies at the end of Trebbiner Straße, about a ten-minute walk from the memorial tower in the center of Großbeeren. While the museum in the memorial tower recalls the battle, the sewage irrigation site points to Berlin’s urban history and industrial past.

Culture in the Wider Teltow-Fläming Destination

The wider Teltow-Fläming destination offers further cultural experiences. The Baruther Glashütte settlement is a monument of European significance. It has a living glass museum with a working furnace; traditional workshops produce one-of-a-kind pieces and small series. In Jüterbog, the museum in the Mönchenkloster presents regional archaeology, Reformation history, and the city’s military history across three floors. These examples represent different areas of focus: glass production and craftsmanship in Baruther Glashütte, and several eras of regional history at the museum in Jüterbog. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between Großbeeren’s historical focus and other cultural experiences in the wider destination.

Discover more destinations: Am Mellensee, Siethen, Jüterbog, Werben, Seehausen, Jänickendorf, Ihlow, Niederer Fläming

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