Börnicke: Village Church, Palace Park and Culture

Börnicke brings together architectural history, culture and a landscape whose development is closely linked to a pond. The village church and palace complex represent different chapters; at the Fire Station Theatre, the programme ranges from fairy tales to jazz. At the same time, cycling and hiking trails lead from a railway station in Bernau to Börnicke and onward into the Barnim Heathland. When choosing your accommodation, you might consider whether historic sites, cultural events or outdoor trails should be the focus of your stay.

Village Church and Historic Furnishings

The village church preserves a church elders’ pew dating from 1679, a rarity in the region. It features depictions of the apostles and Bible quotations—specific details that make a visit to the church interesting for anyone with an interest in historic furnishings and regional history.

Guided tours of the village church are offered on the first Sunday of every month, after the service, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Outside these hours, tours can be arranged by telephone on 03338 70220.

Palace History and Landscape Park

Börnicke Palace was remodelled in the neoclassical style between 1909 and 1911. The client was banker Paul von Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, who created the palace together with architect Bruno Paul. Since 1992, the palace complex has been listed as a monument of architectural and cultural heritage in the State of Brandenburg’s register of monuments.

The creation of the palace park is also linked to a specific alteration to the water landscape: it could only be laid out after Eichbusch Pond was drained into the Panke towards Bernau in 1871. The landscape park dates from the second half of the 19th century. A large pond defines its northeastern section. In the past, a network of winding paths led through it, offering changing views of the water. In Börnicke, architectural history thus meets a landscape whose traditional design was shaped around the pond.

Theatre, Events and Local Culture

The Fire Station Theatre has the character of a parlour theatre from around 1900 and is considered Brandenburg’s smallest venue. Its programme includes fairy-tale productions with puppets, staged readings, chamber music and modern jazz. The different formats offer distinct experiences: a fairy-tale production makes for a different theatre evening than a reading or concert. As seating is limited, the theatre asks visitors to reserve in advance.

At the village pond, the “KulturGut e. V. Börnicke” association organises film screenings, workshops and Advent markets. The Stork Festival is also part of the annual calendar and takes place every May; individual programme items may vary. If an event is the reason for your trip, check the dates and programme in advance.

Trails, the Estate and Beer

Cycling and hiking trails lead from a railway station in Bernau to Börnicke and onward into the Barnim Heathland. Another option for a tour is the 19 km Jakobsweg (Way of St James) from Werneuchen via Börnicke and Löhme to Seefeld. It is marked with a yellow and a green stripe, and in some sections also with a scallop shell as the Way of St James symbol. Check the trail markings before setting out.

A piece of the estate’s history survives in the old distillery, whose building houses the brewery of the Erste Bernauer Braugenossenschaft e. G. in the Börnicke district. The “Zum Braugenossen” brewery taproom serves beers brewed on site. These include “Ein Bernauer”, a light full-bodied beer; “Kantor”, a dark lager; and “Rathaus”, a pale ale. Seasonal offerings may vary.

Discover more destinations: Lindow, Schönow.

Return to the main travel overview: Bernau bei Berlin.