Rudow-Altglienicke Nature Reserve

If you hear the phrase “highway expansion”, probably the last idea that would come to mind is a green oasis in the middle of the city. But in Berlin, the one led to the other, because the Rudow-Altglienicke nature reserve was founded to compensate for the expansion of the A113 Autobahn towards Schönefeld, the site of Berlin’s future airport.

Compensating with a rural idyll

Because the highway project was paving over some natural areas, a generously-sized park was developed on neighbouring property over a two-year period of construction. Some 2,500 trees were planted where the Berlin Wall once ran through the Neukölln and Treptow-Köpenick districts. Where else in a city can you tramp about paddocks, orchards and fields? In addition, lovers of nature will discover several ponds, including the previously backfilled and now restored Massantepfuhl, wetlands, groves and meadows filled with lavender and sage. A highlight are the so-called “Glienicker windows”, an embankment that rises up to 5 metres, planted with vines, which provides a view of the landscaped park with its meadows, pastures and valley.