Berlin-Baumschulenweg

Baumschulenweg is a neighborhood in Berlin's Treptow-Köpenick district whose name and identity were largely shaped by the Späth Nursery located here. Geographically, it lies in the northwestern part of the district and borders Neukölln, with the Spree and the Teltow Canal forming natural boundaries. The area is divided into two distinct sections: a densely built-up northeastern part with apartment buildings, a cemetery, and the S-Bahn station, and a more loosely developed southwestern part that includes the allotment garden colonies and the nursery grounds. Historically, the land was first part of the rural municipality of Treptow and was not declared an independent neighborhood until 1940. The decisive impetus for its development came from Franz Ludwig Späth, who moved his nursery here in the 19th century and expanded it into the largest tree nursery in the world.

For visitors, the Späth Arboretum is the main highlight. This public display garden, based on plans by city garden director Gustav Meyer, is home to around 1,200 varieties of trees and shrubs and is open during the summer months. Concerts and guided tours take place here regularly, offering insights into the history of breeding and caring for trees and shrubs. The old Späth family manor house, now used by Humboldt University, recalls the former importance of the business. The Protestant church Zum Vaterhaus, consecrated in 1911 as the first house of worship in the Treptow area, is also an architectural sight worth seeing.

Beyond the green oasis, Baumschulenweg offers further cultural and historical attractions. Baumschulenweg Cemetery, with its modern crematorium that opened in 1999, provides a quiet contrast to the lively residential area. On Königsheideweg, a memorial commemorates the musician Jim Morrison, who lived here in the 1970s. The infrastructure is well developed, with Baumschulenweg S-Bahn station as an important hub and several bus lines connecting the neighborhood with the surrounding districts. The combination of urban living, historic horticulture, and nature-oriented parks makes Baumschulenweg a versatile destination for city residents and tourists alike.