Grunewald Hunting Lodge

Berlin's oldest palace, a Renaissance gem on the shores of Lake Grunewald, attests to the refined taste of Elector Joachim II of Brandenburg. The Palace, built from 1542 onwards for his hunting retreats, presents itself as a harmonious blend of a Palace, courtyard, and ancillary buildings. Joachim II, instrumental in the Renaissance development in Berlin, commissioned significant works from both Lucas Cranach the Elder and Younger, including Passion panels for the collegiate church and a unique series depicting virtues of rulers. These treasures lend the House a unique aura, bearing witness to the artistic heyday at the Berlin court in the 16th century.

The outstanding Cranach collection is complemented by Old German and Old Dutch paintings from the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation. Particularly captivating is the series of portraits of Brandenburg-Prussian rulers, which can be explored during special guided tours, revealing the evolution of portrait art from the Renaissance to the Romantic era.

Another focal point of the permanent exhibition delves into the original use of the Palace as a hunting lodge. Artfully presented here is the Hohenzollerns' passion for hunting from the 16th to the early 20th century. Courtly hunts, hunting festivals, and the artistic integration of hunting motifs into royal palaces are vividly showcased. In the adjacent hunting gear museum, visitors gain insights into the most significant hunting practices in Brandenburg-Prussia.

This unique ensemble of history, art, and hunting culture makes the Palace an unparalleled attraction in the heart of Grunewald, where the Renaissance continues to thrive in all its splendor.