Baumkronenpfad "Baum & Zeit"
More than 100 years ago the famous Beelitz sanatoriums were built. Here today, a spectacular treetop & time travel trail (barrier-free) winds its way over the ruins of the Alpenhaus World War II, with its unique roof forest*. Once upon a time in Beelitz, the workers of the imperial capital Berlin - surrounded by high-quality architecture and generous forest parks² - were to recover from the tuberculosis rampant at that time. In both world wars the sanatoriums served as hospitals for German soldiers. From 1945 to 1994 they were the largest hospital of the "Red Army" outside the motherland. After the withdrawal of the Soviet army, numerous buildings that had been in use until then fell victim to vandalism. Today these buildings radiate a morbid charm reminiscent of sleeping castles despite - or because of - romantic wild plant growth. Exciting times and thus many - very different - visitors have left their visible traces since then.
During a walk along and on the treetop path and during one of the guided tours through the forest park and the preserved houses, guests receive exciting, sometimes unique insights into the history(s) and nature of this rescued place. The lookout tower (40 m) offers views both far and wide. From the top viewing platform, which can be easily reached by lift, you can look far into the sanatorium area, over the Fläming and as far as Berlin.
Interesting information summarized:
Hints:
Botanical peculiarities:
) Dachwald: Today's tourist attraction "Baum&Zeit" owes a special botanical highlight to the blackest hour in the history of the Beelitz sanatoriums: the fights of the "Army Wenk" against the troops of the "Red Army" closing the ring around Berlin in 1945. The "Alpenhaus" burned out. A rain must have pressed the rising ashes onto the uppermost ceiling construction. Pines settled on this mineral-rich layer. Uninteresting as a ruin for the Soviet military doctors - there were enough buildings in the area - the building stood untouched over the decades. A roof forest grew. Without sufficient water supply, barely supplied with soil, the trees have thrived for 70 years in the "Bonsai format" and hold with their roots the ceiling of the building, which by the way is the largest preserved World War ruin of a secular building in Brandenburg and Berlin.
² ) Forest park: To level the park terrain, it was sometimes necessary to fill the old trees of the existing forest up to two meters - which the Mark Brandenburg pines stoically endured. Today, old trees can still be found in the terrain, which have roots in two floors - due to the changed water and soil horizon. Three-quarters of the old forest remained, despite all the garden design. Mostly deciduous trees and flowering shrubs, but also exotic conifers were planted, so that soon a worth seeing forest park landscape grew up. Today, there are around 65 different tree and shrub species in the area, which ensures a magical play of colours, especially in spring and autumn.
During a walk along and on the treetop path and during one of the guided tours through the forest park and the preserved houses, guests receive exciting, sometimes unique insights into the history(s) and nature of this rescued place. The lookout tower (40 m) offers views both far and wide. From the top viewing platform, which can be easily reached by lift, you can look far into the sanatorium area, over the Fläming and as far as Berlin.
Interesting information summarized:
- Opening date:September 11, 2015
- Length: 320 meter path and 5 large viewing platforms in the tower
- Maximum height: path 23 m, tower 40 m
- View: Unique view of the historic garden, building and technical monument Beelitz-Heilstätten and the enchanted forest park landscape.
- Other Facilities & Attractions: Castle-like clinic buildings; huge World War II ruins with a 20-metre-high forest roof can be walked over; circular paths through the old park landscape; forest playground
- Special features: The historical area of the Beelitzer Heilstätten is one of the most photographed places in Germany and the location of many internationally known films such as The Pianist, Operation Valkyrie, Hotel Adlon, Street Dance etc..
- The development of this area by a treetop path, with the crossing of a multi-storey ruin, on whose roof a forest has been growing for 70 years, is unique in Europe.
- Gastronomy: Different gastronomic offers with beer garden at and in the pavilion at the tower and at the historical loungers in front of the ruin, restaurant and beer garden outside the core area at the old kitchen at the entrance "Porter House".
- Other: There is a lift for prams, wheelchairs and people with walking disabilities.
Hints:
- Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult to visit the trail.
- In case of bad weather (thunderstorm, storm, hail, ice etc.) the path will be closed.
- Dogs are not allowed on the treetop path.
Botanical peculiarities:
) Dachwald: Today's tourist attraction "Baum&Zeit" owes a special botanical highlight to the blackest hour in the history of the Beelitz sanatoriums: the fights of the "Army Wenk" against the troops of the "Red Army" closing the ring around Berlin in 1945. The "Alpenhaus" burned out. A rain must have pressed the rising ashes onto the uppermost ceiling construction. Pines settled on this mineral-rich layer. Uninteresting as a ruin for the Soviet military doctors - there were enough buildings in the area - the building stood untouched over the decades. A roof forest grew. Without sufficient water supply, barely supplied with soil, the trees have thrived for 70 years in the "Bonsai format" and hold with their roots the ceiling of the building, which by the way is the largest preserved World War ruin of a secular building in Brandenburg and Berlin.
² ) Forest park: To level the park terrain, it was sometimes necessary to fill the old trees of the existing forest up to two meters - which the Mark Brandenburg pines stoically endured. Today, old trees can still be found in the terrain, which have roots in two floors - due to the changed water and soil horizon. Three-quarters of the old forest remained, despite all the garden design. Mostly deciduous trees and flowering shrubs, but also exotic conifers were planted, so that soon a worth seeing forest park landscape grew up. Today, there are around 65 different tree and shrub species in the area, which ensures a magical play of colours, especially in spring and autumn.