Berlin Zoological Garden
Berlin Zoological Garden is Germany's oldest surviving zoo, opened on 1 August 1844 as the ninth zoological garden in Europe. It sits on 33 hectares beside Hardenbergplatz in the Tiergarten district of Mitte, housing roughly 18,000 animals across about 1,000 species — making it one of the world's most species-rich zoos. In 2024 it drew 3.6 million visitors, the highest attendance of any zoo in Europe. Beyond the animals, the real reward is slowing down: more than a century of building has left the grounds scattered with orientalist animal houses, memorial sculptures of famous departed creatures, footbridges over the canal, and Germany's largest aquarium — each one a story that most visitors walk past without stopping.
Germany · 53 The overlooked corners inside
The overlooked corners inside
Berlin Aquarium
At the foot of the steps leading to the Aquarium, a five-metre cement Iguanodon rearing up on its hind legs marks the entrance — a 1913 sculpture that stands guard over a building opened the same year and still ranked among the world's most species-rich aquatic facilities. It houses not only marine and freshwater animals but amphibians, reptiles, and insects as well. The building was designed by the firm Kayser & von Groszheim and, like the adjacent zoo, is listed as a Berlin cultural monument; both are run by the same publicly traded public-benefit company. You can enter from the zoo side, or from Budapester Strasse via Olof-Palme-Platz.
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Great Restaurant (former site)
This building no longer exists, but it was once the zoo's liveliest social venue. The Große Restauration (Great Restaurant) was the zoo's main dining hall, with an adjoining banqueting and concert room called the Kaisersaal (Emperor's Hall). It opened in 1874 and became a popular destination for Berliners who came on weekends to eat and hear music. The building was destroyed in the Second World War; a hotel now stands on the site, and both the Great Restaurant and the Kaisersaal have vanished from Berlin's map.
Sources: wikidata.org · andreas-praefcke.de
Elephant Gate
On Budapester Strasse, right beside the Aquarium, two reclining sandstone elephants — full grown-elephant size — support a pagoda-style roof of red timber, gilded trim, and green-glazed tiles. This is the Elephant Gate, one of the zoo's two main public entrances, named for the pair of stone elephants. What you see is a faithful 1983–84 reconstruction; the original, built in 1899 in an East Asian style, was destroyed in the Second World War. Today it is a listed Berlin cultural monument and one of the zoo's defining landmarks.
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Lion Gate
The west entrance on Hardenbergplatz — the main gate facing S-Bahn station Zoologischer Garten — greets you with a shell-limestone gatehouse completed in 1909. The Lion Gate was designed by architect Rudolf von Groszheim and commissioned by director Ludwig Heck; today it is a listed Berlin partial cultural monument. What stands here is not the original: in 1987, to mark Berlin's 750th anniversary, the zoo rebuilt the Lion Gate to its former design. In 2016 a larger ticketing and entrance area was added alongside it.
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Wild Boar Head Pillar Ornaments
On the wall pillars near the Lion Gate, a pair of sandstone wild boar heads form decorative capitals — animal carvings made in 1908, restored after the Second World War in 1989. They are among the few boundary ornaments from the early twentieth century still surviving on the zoo perimeter.
Sources: wikidata.org
Gorilla Bobby Statue
Beside the Ape House, a stone sculpture honours Bobby, the most famous gorilla in Berlin Z… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Peter Joseph Lenné Bust
On the northeast side of Lichtenstein Bridge, a bronze bust stands quietly in its place —… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: bildhauerei-in-berlin.de · overpass-api.de · en.wikipedia.org
Polar Bear Group
Near the Bear Rocks, this group of bronze polar bears was cast between 1985 and 1986 by th… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
Wilhelm Böckmann Bust
On the south wall of the Neptune Fountain pool, east of the Elephant Gate, a bronze bust p… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org · en.wikipedia.org
Martin Hinrich Lichtenstein Bust
This bust commemorates Martin Hinrich Lichtenstein (1780–1857), the person most responsibl… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Heinz-Georg Klös Bust
This bust commemorates Heinz-Georg Klös (1926–2014), who in 1956, at the age of thirty, su… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Katharina Heinroth Bust
This 1979 bronze by sculptor Heinz Spierk commemorates Katharina Heinroth (1897–1989) — th… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · wikidata.org
Lutz Heck Bust
This bronze bust commemorates Lutz Heck (1892–1983), zoo director from 1932 to 1945 and on… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · wikidata.org
Ludwig Heck Bust
This bust commemorates Ludwig Heck (1860–1951), father of Lutz Heck, who served as Berlin… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Heinrich Bodinus Bust
This bust commemorates Heinrich Bodinus (1814–1884), who took over as Berlin Zoo's directo… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Centaur and Nymph
In front of the Antelope House, this white marble group is one of the zoo's most arresting… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: bildhauerei-in-berlin.de · en.wikipedia.org
Iguanodon Sculpture
To the right of the Aquarium steps, a five-metre Iguanodon stands on a natural rock plinth… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Jewish Shareholders Memorial Plaque
On the outer wall of the Antelope House, a Berlin memorial plaque unveiled on 28 June 2011… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: gedenktafeln-in-berlin.de
Toad Boy Fountain
The fountain beside the Antelope House was made by sculptor Georg Roch and completed in 19… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
ZG Bear Pillar Sculptures
At each end of Lichtenstein Bridge, a rearing bear stands on a brick pillar, the pair toge… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org · bildhauerei-in-berlin.de
Roaring Stag — Rominter Heath
This bronze shows a twelve-point stag throwing back its head to roar during the autumn rut… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org · en.wikipedia.org
Leda and the Swan
Inside the pavilion at the southwest corner of the Neptune Fountain pool, a roughly life-s… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: bildhauerei-in-berlin.de · wikidata.org
Brick Bear
This bear sculpture, made from brick by Hans Wagner in 1928, is a rare example among the z… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
Sun Bear Bronze
This bronze by Ernst Freese depicts a sun bear (Malayan sun bear), recognisable by the pal… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
Polacanthus Relief
Among the majolica tiles and relief panels covering the Aquarium's exterior walls, Polacan… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: dinosaurpalaeo.wordpress.com
Ammonite Relief
Among the animals decorating the Aquarium's facade, ammonites — the extinct spiral-shelled… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: dinosaurpalaeo.wordpress.com
Nocturnal Animal House
Descending below the Predator House (Raubtierhaus, now "Reich der Jäger"), you enter the N… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Penguin World
Penguin World was built in 1977 and expanded in 2002. The emperor penguin colony and rockh… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Bird World
Reopened in June 2016, the Vogelhaus (Bird House) holds more than 300 bird species, includ… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Reich der Jäger (Kingdom of Hunters)
Reich der Jäger (Kingdom of Hunters) is the large felid house that reopened on 25 February… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: molitor-berlin.de
Ape House
The Ape House was built in four phases, opening progressively from April 1959 to 1965. As… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Rhinoceros Tower
The Rhinoceros Tower, opened on 24 June 2023, is the zoo's newest landmark building, desig… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: danpearlman.com · meng.de
Striding Lion
This bronze lion — head raised, in full stride — is the work of sculptor Waldemar Grzimek… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
Red Deer Bronze
This bronze stag was made by Johann Robert Korn, completed in 1913, on a granite base. Kor… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
Baby Elephant Orje Memorial
Orje was an Asian elephant born at Berlin Zoo on 8 April 1936 — father Omar, mother Aida… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: simonis-buunk.com · elephant.se
Helmeted Guineafowl Bronze
This bronze group by Reinhard Dachlauer, completed in 1990, depicts helmeted guineafowl (N… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
Rhinoceros Bronze
In front of the Rhinoceros Tower, a lifelike bronze one-horned rhinoceros stands in repose… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
Four Shoebills (Abu Markubs)
This bronze group by Reinhard Dachlauer depicts four shoebills (Schuhschnabel, literally "… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
Wild Boar Bronze
This bronze wild boar is the work of sculptor Fritz Behn, completed in 1930, donated to th… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wikidata.org
Orang-utan Sculpture
Scattered among the outdoor spaces are several commemorative sculptures; this one, by anim… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
"Knut the Dreamer" Memorial
Knut was a polar bear born at this zoo in 2006 who was abandoned by his mother and hand-ra… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Guide Dog Memorial
On the zoo's north side, to the right of the Bear Rocks entrance, a life-size bronze Germa… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: bildhauerei-in-berlin.de
"Hans im Glück" Petting Zoo
The Hans im Glück Petting Zoo (Streichelzoo Hans im Glück — named after the fairy tale "Ha… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Marabou Stork
Between the deer paddocks and the zebra area lies a large meadow for wading birds. It is h… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Bearded Vulture
Within the Adlerschlucht (Eagle Ravine), Berlin Zoo has participated for more than 30 year… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Snowy Owl
A 2021 census of the Adlerfelsen (Eagle Rocks) recorded 20 bird species in residence, incl… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Antelope House (Giraffe House)
The Antelope House is the oldest complete building still standing in Berlin Zoo, designed… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Hippo House
The Hippo House is the zoo's most striking engineering structure. Built in 1996–97 to repl… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: sbp.de
Pheasantry
The Fasanerie (Pheasantry) houses gallinaceous birds of many sizes, including the Vieillot… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Lichtenstein Bridge
Lichtenstein Bridge is an arched steel truss footbridge within the zoo grounds, connecting… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Alpine Ibex Rocks
The Steinbockfelsen (Alpine Ibex Rocks), built in 1899 to a design by Moritz Lehmann, is a… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Eagle Ravine
The Adlerschlucht (Eagle Ravine) is a dedicated exhibit area for birds of prey, owls, and… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
Camel Area
The Kamelrevier (Camel Area), built in 1961, once kept dromedaries and vicuñas. In 2020 th… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: de.wikipedia.org
FAQ
What overlooked corners are worth seeing inside Berlin Zoological Garden?
Berlin Aquarium, Great Restaurant (former site), Elephant Gate and more — 53 spots in all, each with sources and a guide in your language to read or listen to on the spot.
Is the Berlin Zoological Garden guide free?
The first 5 spots are free to read; the other 48 unlock with a one-time purchase (not a subscription).