Pfaueninsel - Wannsee

In the outermost southwest corner of Berlin lies the Pfaueninsel (Peacock-Island), situated in the Havel River which at this point has a lake-like feature. The island was cultivated as a recreational refugium right from the beginning, starting with King Frederick William II of Prussia who used the island extensively, and reaching its bloom period under King Frederick William III. The scattered buildings are implied models of popular architectural styles of the era. A mock playground for the aristocracy so to say. Pfaueninsel has had a very fortunate sleeping beauty existence, hence not much on the island has changed over the past 200 years, including its natural appearance. One of the reasons it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hard to imagine that the Berlin Senate planned building a nuclear reactor on the island, in order to be energy-autarkic during the German division.

The main building and trade mark of Pfaueninsel: the castle. It has a small and private

character and was used a lot by King FW II and his mistress Wilhelmine.

The dairy farm from a distance.

One of the small dairy farm side buildings.

The dairy farms main building has the appearamce of a gothic monastery

and has a ballroom in the second floor.

A bust of Queen Louise, the wife of King FW III, in the portico to her honor.

She was very popular with the general public.

One of the name givers. The first peacocks were brought to the island in the 1790s.

The Berlin Gallery