Lustgarten (Pleasure Garden), Potsdam

The Pleasure Garden (Lustgarten) in Potsdam is a historic and serene green space perfect for a relaxing break, especially after exploring the nearby Museum Island or Berlin Cathedral. Established in 1573 by Elector Johann Georg, the Pleasure Garden was created by draining a swamp near his castle to make room for a fruit and herb garden. It holds the distinction of being the site where the first potatoes ("Tartufeln") were planted in the region.

Throughout its history, the Pleasure Garden has undergone several transformations. In the 17th century, it was redesigned by the Great Elector into an ornate garden. Under Friedrich Wilhelm I, it was cleared of grass, filled with sand, and repurposed as a parade ground. Friedrich Wilhelm II later restored the garden at the end of the 18th century. Following the construction of the Altes Museum by Karl Friedrich Schinkel, both Schinkel and landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné renovated the garden, enhancing its architectural and landscape features.

In the 20th century, the Pleasure Garden became a site for political gatherings and was dramatically altered by the Nazis, who leveled and paved it to accommodate mass marches and rallies. Today, however, the garden has been restored to its green, inviting state, once again offering a tranquil space for sunbathing and leisure.

A central attraction of the Pleasure Garden is the impressive granite bowl, a renowned wonder of the Biedermeier era and a highlight of 19th-century royal Berlin. Weighing 70 tonnes, it was transported to Berlin via the River Spree in 1828. The bowl's grand inauguration in 1834 featured a unique breakfast for around 40 people who sat inside it. Its massive size has earned it the affectionate nickname "Berlin soup bowl" in local slang.