Parks and Gardens of Schwerin

A walk through the Palace Garden is a walk through the history of garden design. On 25 hectares, it unites the style of French pleasure gardens with baroque features, lined with trees to frame the entire composition. Green arcades take you along the cross canal and to the green cascades, which were created in 1748 according to plans by Jean Laurent Legeay. Numerous sculptures by Permoser underline the symmetry and lead the way.

Another landscape gardener, namely Peter Joseph Lenné, had the park extended even further, following the aristocratic ideals of that era. It was designed to fit the ducal glory, borrowing characteristics of English landscape gardening with a greenhouse garden, a hippodrome, a green labyrinth and groups of trees, which stand in contrast to the baroque parts of the park.

Every year, Schwerin’s Palace Garden is turned into the centre stage of the Summer Gardens event (Schweriner Kultur- und Gartensommer). As part of the park there is an open-air stage which hosts all kinds of concerts during the summer season, against the majestic backdrop of the Palace.

Orangery

Even today it is still used as a greenhouse for delicate potted plants and flowers, especially in winter when they remain protected under the high metal arches. But it is more than just a winter garden. As soon as the sun comes out, the orangery café opens its doors to the public. With its peaceful atmosphere and outdoor seats, it is one of the most popular spots in town. Great architects like Demmler, Stüler and Lenné designed everything the park is made of: the fountains, the sculptures, the grotto, the stone steps, the terraces and ornamental plantings. Nevertheless, it was court gardener Theodor Klett who created the castle gardens in the first place.

Floating Meadow

The floating meadow seems like a futuristic garden on an island. Even though it doesn’t move with the waves, it is completely surrounded by water. Whereas the surface itself appears to be floating freely, the garden design is marked by strictly geometrical features. Wandering through the garden, you’ll find wavelike constructions and patches, luscious flowerbeds and stretches of green. The water of lake Burgsee is always near, with the waves swirling around the edges.

A very special Lady

Schwerin’s flower lady Bertha Klingberg gave the square its name. Next to the floating meadow and the palace gardens, her bronze statue seems to be watching the scene. She was one of Schwerin’s most popular residents, an honorary citizen and principal supporter of the National Garden Exhibition BUGA. She reached the age of 107, having known the Grand Duke himself. The floating meadow was designed as a 21st century garden for the National Garden Exhibition BUGA in 2009. In summer, it is still the perfect place to relax, enjoy an open-air concert and other events.