Schildhorn Memorial

Schildhorn is a roughly 400-meter-long spit of land in Berlin's Grunewald forest that juts far out into the Havel River, forming the small Jürgenlanke bay. The area lies within the Grunewald landscape conservation area in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district and was a popular excursion spot for Berliners on Sunday outings in the 19th century. Today, a dense mixed forest of pines, oaks, and pioneer trees shapes the landscape, while a protected belt of reeds lines the narrow shoreline. You can reach the peninsula via the Havelhöhenweg trail or the Schildhornweg. At the tip of the spit, you'll find a beach stretch of about 100 meters with a historic water rescue station, considered the second oldest of its kind in Berlin. A spacious forest playground with wooden play structures invites families to linger and playfully brings the local legend to life.

The best-known landmark is the Schildhorn Monument, built in 1845, a commemorative column made of sandstone. The architect Friedrich August Stüler designed the monument based on sketches by King Frederick William IV of Prussia, who wanted to mark a turning point in the region's history. The column symbolizes the Schildhorn legend, according to which the Slavic prince Jaczo of Köpenick fled from Albert the Bear in 1157, escaped, and converted to Christianity out of gratitude. The cross-shaped top of the monument refers to this conversion. Although the monument was rebuilt after its destruction in 1945, it has largely fallen into obscurity today and is surrounded by trees, which hides its original character as a landmark visible from afar.

Beside the monument, the area is home to the listed Wirtshaus Schildhorn ensemble. This historic restaurant architecture dates from the 1860s onward and comprises several halls and residential buildings that originally served the busy excursion traffic. Although there has been no traditional excursion inn for several years now, an event company operates the ensemble along with a boat landing. The area is also part of a water protection zone, which safeguards the natural surroundings. For hikers and nature lovers, Schildhorn offers a quiet retreat with views of the Havel, far from the noise of the surrounding neighborhoods.