Mansion Colony Neubabelsberg
Where previously forest and mulberry plantations were to be found for the royal silkworms, the royal building councils planned the Mansion Colony Neubabelsberg. Those who owned a Mansion here on the southern shore of Lake Griebnitzsee usually had rank and name. In later years the proximity to the film studios made the Mansion Colony attractive also for filmmakers.
The first German emperor, Wilhelm I, spent his summers in the nearby Babelsberg Palace. The palace's parks stretched as far as the Neubabelsberg mansion colony. Wilhelm I dictated his neighbours at Lake Griebnitzsee that they should build the houses "not too showy to the street side" in order not to displease the people. So it happens that many mansions only reveal their full beauty on the lakeside.
The mansions of the lake Griebnitzsee are lined up like jewels - treasures from the imperial era that shine again today. The architectural masterpieces alone are worth a visit. In 1907, Maria Ludwig Michael Mies from Aachen realised his first project in the Mansion Colony Neubabelsberg on behalf of the philosopher Alois Riehl. At the age of 21 he designed the "Haus Riehl", which can be found in Spitzweggasse. Later, the architect added his mother's to his father's surname and went down in history as director of the Bauhaus under the name Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Other buildings he designed in the mansion colony are Villa Urbig and Villa Mosler.
As many Stories as Mansions
Villa Lademann: It served as a guest house for stars of the Ufa such as Hans Albers, Heinz Rühmann and probably also Marlene Dietrich
Landhaus Gugenheim: The red brick house designed by Hans Muthesius was once the home of the Jewish silk manufacturer Hans Gugenheim. After the National Socialists seized power, the family emigrated. In 1938 the actress Brigitte Horney bought the house. She offered shelter to Erich Kästner, who was to write the script for the Ufa film "Münchhausen" with Hans Albers in the leading role under the pseudonym Berthold Bürger.
Villa Erlenkamp: During the Potsdam Conference in Cecilienhof Palace, Henry Truman was accommodated here. In his villa he is said to have made the decision to drop the atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
Getting there:
by bicycle (a service of komoot GmbH)
by public transport (a service of VBB)
by train (a service of Bahn AG)
All about local traffic
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