Großbeeren: Memorial Sites and Schinkel Architecture

Großbeeren brings history to life at a variety of sites: the Bülow Pyramid commemorates General von Bülow, the memorial tower recalls the 1813 battle, and Schinkel Church adds a distinctive architectural touch. The decommissioned sewage farm is another landmark, bearing witness to Berlin’s urban history. You can shape your stay around memorial sites, architecture and regional history. Families will find a range of topics to talk about together.

Commemoration and views

The Bülow Pyramid was built on Windmill Hill in 1906 and is dedicated to General von Bülow. It is also associated with an annual event: the Bülow Memorial Run starts and finishes at the pyramid during the Victory Festival at the end of August. If you would like to time your trip to coincide with the Victory Festival, check the dates and programme for that year’s event.

The Großbeeren Memorial Tower was built in 1913 to mark the 100th anniversary of the battle and stands 32 metres tall. The museum on the ground floor commemorates the Battle of Großbeeren on 23 August 1813. In good weather, the view from the observation platform stretches more than 30 kilometres across the countryside. The year it was built and the museum’s theme provide historical context, while the view offers a perspective across the surrounding landscape.

Schinkel Church: architecture and history

The Protestant Schinkel Church in Großbeeren was built between 1818 and 1820 in the Neo-Gothic style, based on a design by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Its interior furnishings were also made according to Schinkel’s plans. The floor plan takes the shape of a Greek cross. The church was presented to King Frederick William III in gratitude for the victory in the Battle of Großbeeren. Unlike the characteristic fieldstone churches in neighbouring towns, it stands out for its exotic appearance.

A glimpse into Berlin’s urban history

The decommissioned Großbeeren sewage farm is an important testament to Berlin’s urban history. Its main components have been listed since 1999. For orientation, the site is at the end of Trebbiner Straße, about a ten-minute walk from the memorial tower in the centre of Großbeeren. If you plan to visit both places, this approximate walking time can help you plan your route. The sewage farm adds a different perspective on regional history to the themes of remembrance and architecture.

More highlights in the wider Teltow-Fläming travel destination

The wider Teltow-Fläming travel destination has other cultural highlights to explore. The Baruther Glashütte settlement is a monument of European importance. It is home to a lively glass museum with an operating furnace, while traditional workshops produce one-of-a-kind items and small batches. In Jüterbog, the museum in the Mönchenkloster presents regional archaeology, Reformation history and the town’s military history across three floors. These examples offer a different focus from Großbeeren’s memorial sites and Schinkel architecture.

The landscape of the wider Teltow-Fläming travel destination also offers a variety of impressions: gently rolling hills, wide valleys, protected areas, uplands and lowlands, where visitors can experience local flora and fauna at close quarters. The district has almost 600 kilometres of tourist cycling routes. The Fläming-Skate is maintained and regularly cleaned by the Teltow-Fläming district; nevertheless, check the condition of the route before setting out.

Choose the focus for your accommodation search

If the Bülow Pyramid, memorial tower, Schinkel Church and sewage farm are your main points of interest, you can search specifically for accommodation in Großbeeren. For a broader trip around Teltow-Fläming, the museums, landscapes and cycling routes there may also influence your choice. Base your search area on the experiences that matter most for your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Woltersdorf, Werben, Luckenwalde, Ludwigsfelde, Seehausen, Rangsdorf, Siethen, Jänickendorf.

Back to the wider travel guide: Teltow-Fläming.