Lichterfelde West
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Lichterfelde West is part of the Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough of Berlin. It was developed from 1860 through 1900 by a wealthy businessman from Hamburg and is a remarkable example of 19th century Villenkolonie, a German concept of settlements completely made up of mansion houses or villas. Lichterfelde West became part of Greater Berlin in 1920.
It is still largely intact and can be easily visited by S-Bahn (15 min. train ride from Potsdamer Platz). Although some houses were destroyed in World War II and many have been converted into rentals, the quarter has kept its 19th century charm and pleases with a large assortment of villas in an often extravagant mix of architectural styles. It still features its original tree lined and cobbled streets, small squares and working gas lights.
Lichterfelde West was also home to the Prussian Main Cadet School, which was disbanded in 1920 by the Treaty of Versailles, and the Prussian and later German Royal Guard.
Today "Li-We", as Berlinners call it, is home to many diplomats and next to Grunewald and Dahlem one of the most sought after residential areas of the German capital.
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 Lichterfelde West in the Borough of Steglitz-Zehlendorf in Berlin |
[edit] Places of interest
- Botanical Garden (Unter Den Eichen)
- Prussian Cadet School (Finkensteinallee)
- Barracks of the Royal Guard (Gardeschutzenweg, today seat of the German Secret Service)
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