Viktoriapark and the Waterfall

Viktoriapark is one of my favourite spots in Berlin. On one hand, it’s a place full of history. On the other, the little hill and the magical waterfall make of it something special. Located in west Kreuzberg, it was opened in 1894.

The name of Viktoriapark comes from the princess Victoria of Great Britain and Ireland, who married the Frederick III in 1858 and consequently became the German empress and the queen of Prussia.

The park is widely known because of the Preußisches Nationaldenkmal für die Befreiungskriege (the Prussian National Monument for the Liberation Wars), constructed in commemoration of the Napoleonic Wars. This monument was built in 1821 on the top of the Tempelhofer Berg (the mountain of Tempelhof). The 66-meter-high mountain was renamed by the king after the iron cross of the monument. That way it turned into Kreuzberg, which literally means cross hill. With the years this became the name of the entire neighbourhood we all know today.

Walking up the hill can be a little bit exhausting, but as a reward you’ll get a nice view of the city. What’s more, you’ll also reach the top of one of the most delightful elements of Berlin, the waterfall. As might be expected, it’s artificial. It started to run water in 1893, when the park was being designed. During years, there were also some statues that were unfortunately destroyed because of the Second World War.

Nevertheless the park looks amazing nowadays, specially in Spring, when it’s a feast of blossom. In case you’re hungry, you can try the delicious Flammkuchen in the café of the park. Guten Appetit!

Text and pictures by Silvia Conde.