As far as parks are concerned in the city, Tiergarten is certainly the largest and definitely the most beautiful. Until 1881, Tiergarten was owned by the monarchy and controlled directly by the King. After the monarchy abolished their rights to the forest it became a park for the use and maintenance of the people. Nationalistic memorials were added as patriotic contributions to the culture of Tiergarten, and most famously, the Siegesalle (Victory Avenue) was added. After WWII the park saw a sudden change in that most of the wooded areas were used for firewood due to the shortage of coal and the empty fields were turned into temporary farmland for growing vegetable and potatoes. Only 700 of 200,000 trees survived, the bridges were destroyed and monuments lay on their sides. The Berlin Magistrate decided to restore Tiergarten in 1945, but it wasn't until 1949 that the first tree was planted to signify the beginning of the restoration. Although over 250,000 new trees were planted, the restoration became stagnant until the fall of the wall, and it is only since German Reunification that it has taken on it's present form.
Today, the Tiergarten's 210 hectares see ponds, lawns and memorials stretch through the city creating a fairytale-like woodland scene right in the heart of Berlin. Everyone uses the park for their own purpose, whether it's the cruisers and nude sunbathers of Schonefeld or the couples lazing underneath the willow trees by the spree. Hiring a bike is recommended so that you can see the whole of the park, being sure to cut through the middle and see the Victory Column. The seasons change the appearance of the park from the bright, poster shades of blue and green in the summer to the reflected autumnal hues that create symmetry in the undisturbed ponds and rivers. Even the winter's monochrome tones prove beautiful, so no matter when you're visiting Berlin, you'll be wowed by the inner-city retreat that is Tiergarten.
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