The Kuechengarten features a plethora of plants and trees common in most home gardens. The beauty of this botanical exhibit will take home gardeners, plant enthusiasts and anyone else who appreciates a manicured yard and garden aback.
However, there is something symbolic about this particular garden. The Kuechengarten represents a lifestyle that is forgiven but not forgotten. The BUGA and Schwerin are located in East Germany. From 1949 to 1989 five German states and East Berlin were under the communist control of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Schwerin was one of many cities that lived through the trying times of communist control.
Fresh and abundant supplies of fruits and vegetables were scarce during the GDR’s reign. The majority of East Germans lived in small apartments. Many East German residents would also maintain a small garden house in addition to their apartment. These garden houses helped families sustain their sustenance that was missing in the markets. Garden houses provided the needed land so families could grow their own fruits and vegetables, make their own fruit juices and also maintain rabbits and chickens for extra meat and eggs.
Twenty years later after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the GDR reign, East Germans still maintain their garden houses. Now a hobby for most, garden houses provide a restful respite for residents and their families. However, if their garden house reaps a little less than sowed, East German residents can go to a super market for fresh fruit and vegetables now.
The Kuechengarten is an extravagant display of gardens and gardening. The flowers and trees in this garden are brilliantly beautiful and the scents are sensuous, but their roots lie deep within the ground of the former East German town. Gardens and garden houses are a passionate past time for most East German residents. They provided necessary nourishment and a place to peacefully escape during the questionable but accepted past of GDR times.
Insider Tip: Off the beaten path
A three-mile side trip around Fauler See, pronounced Fowler Zey, is an adventurous flat land walk including a historic grinding mill, birding and a beer garden!
Walk west (left) from Kuechengarten to the Castle Garden and follow the stream south and southeast to an exit (ausgang).
Outside of the BUGA, follow the lake path counter-clockwise around the lake⎯there’s a reason for this.
First stop, the Grinding Mill. The mill was built in 1705 and was used to grind tanbark until 1753. In 1755, the Grinding Mill was converted and used to cut and grind stones for the Schwerin Castle for about a hundred years. The mill was closed in 1904 but still stands today.
Past the mill, the lake path proceeds alongside some immaculate lakeside houses. Only a short half-mile stretch of property provides a few lucky homeowners the privilege of lakeside living. The path remains along the shoreline throughout the entire circumference of the lake.
Ducks, geese, swans and songbirds call this lake their home throughout the year. Birding enthusiasts will find many different species of birds in the trees, shrubs and on the lake.
If you have followed the lake path counter-clockwise and worked up a bit of thirst and an appetite, near the end of the journey sits the Radeberger beer garden. The Radeberger has indoor and outdoor seating. Either seating offers views of the charming Fauler See. The Radeberger features a $5.55 EU a plate menu of authentic German food. And of course, they serve thirst quenching local German brews⎯a great reward after a long walk.
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