Alt-Marzahn village
A church, a windmill, a village green and cobblestone pavements
There’s no shortage of historical villages in Marzahn-Hellersdorf – such as Mahlsdorf, Kaulsdorf and Biesdorf. The village of Marzahn, which has long been a heritage site, is a surprising find in the middle of Europe’s biggest prefabricated tower block estate.
KulturGut Marzahn
Drop in at KulturGut Marzahn at the memorable address Alt-Marzahn 23. Take a look at the magnificent farm garden, where you can learn all about the fruit, vegetables and herbs on a guided tour. The Schamottchen ceramics workshop is open to the public and you can browse among hand-painted tiles, dishes, pots and fine garden ornaments to your heart’s content. People from Marzahn make pottery here and present their works for sale.
Carry on to the old school building in the middle of the picturesque village green , where you will now find a small but modern district museum. There are changing exhibitions providing interesting insights into the history and culture of Berlin's most north-easterly borough. Right behind it is the old village church with its late Renaissance font and such impressive acoustics that concerts are regularly held here.
Back on the cobblestone pavements, you pass inquisitive goats, geese and sheep who come up to the fence to take a look at you. They belong to the Tierhof Alt-Marzahn, where domestic animal breeds from the Brandenburg region are bred and kept.
Climb up the grassy hill behind the animal farm and you’ll find yourself in front of the village’s big windmill, the post mill. The village miller comes from a family of millers in Saxony and learnt his trade as a boy. And the mill works! Step inside and find out all about how grain is made into bread – it’s best to book a guided tour. By the way, the Marzahn windmill is the first “wedding windmill” in Berlin and Brandenburg, where the happy couple can make their vows in front of its romantic sails.
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