Monbijou Park

You are walking alongside the Monbijou Park, a French name referring to the eponymous Monbijou Palace, a royal residence that stood here from the late 17th century At the time, it was common to use French to give an image of refinement and prestige. French culture and language had a strong influence on the European courts, which saw them as the peak of elegance. At the Prussian court, King Frederick the Great spoke fluently in French and admired its culture. Additionally, Berlin welcomed a large number of Huguenot refugees during the French Wars of Religion, bringing with them their language and customs . So, it’s perfectly normal to see the name “Monbijou” around you. The reason why you cannot see the Baroque palace today is because it was demolished in 1959, after being badly damaged during the war. The area was then transformed into a public park, offering a pleasant green space near Museum Island and alongside the Spree River. If you feel like taking a break, the park has playgrounds for children, shaded picnic areas, sports fields, and lawns to relax on. In the summer, it’s a popular spot for concerts, an open-air theater, and an outdoor cinema. Feel free to stop and rest, or continue straight ahead before turning left toward our next point of interest.