A(nother) Slice of Russia in Berlin: Nikolskoe

This enchanting little hideaway, tucked away in the Grunewald Forest, is one of the things that make Berlin so special. You see, all the world's major cities have spectacular restaurants, bars, architecture, museums, clubs, and so on. The one feature, however, that makes Berlin stand out (besides the clubs, I  mean ...) are its many green spaces, the great outdoors, which here in Berlin - unlike in most cities - are not just a stone's throw away, but are often smack in the centre of town, such as Tiergarten, for instance.

That's why people (read: tourists) drive me mad who journey to Berlin, and all they see are Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the Holocaust Memorial. Really! There is so, so, much more to Berlin than that.

Above all, Nikolskoe is one of the earliest examples of Russian culture in Berlin and its surrounds, highlighting the long and deep links between both countries.

Please click on each image to enlarge:

The view on Lake Wannsee from the Blockhaus Nikolskoe which, in its original form, was built in the early 1900s. 

The entrance to the Blockhaus ... 

... a balcony detail. 

Note, that the Blockhaus preceded Potsdam's Alexandrowka - which is similar in architecture - by quite a few years. 

Just the below the Blockhaus, is the charming Church St. Peter & Paul.

Even though Protestant, the church bears Russian features for the simple reason because the church was built to honor a Tsarina. Charlotte, to be precise, who was the daughter of King Frederick William of Prussia. Walking down from the church through the forest, you eventually reach the waterfront ... 

... with spectacular views of legendary Peacock Island.