Petra Bierwirth, Chair of the  Naturpark Barnim e.V.

Built at the beginning of the 20th century, this granary is a former grain storehouse and is part of the Hobrechtsfelde municipal estate in the town of the same name. It is located in the Barnim Nature Park, in the heart of Europe’s largest woodland pasture project, the former Berlin sewage meadows. The granary was used to store and dry the grain harvested from the estate’s fields and to supply it as needed to the estate’s own pig farm. When the entire Hobrechtsfelde estate was decommissioned in 1984, the granary also lost its function and stood empty for years.

Today, the building is far more than just a historical site: it has become a vibrant center where past and present engage in a fruitful dialogue. Visitors here not only experience the history of the sewage meadows and Berlin’s municipal estates but also enjoy a diverse cultural program, open spaces for creative individuals, and dining options that invite social interaction.

The foundation for its revitalization was laid by an initial comprehensive exhibition on the unique sewage meadow landscape, which was set up on the first floor. The keen interest in the exhibition quickly made it clear that the old estate grounds have not only historical significance but also long-term potential as an attraction, a meeting place, and a recreational area.

The journey to get here has not been—and still is not—an easy one for the Friends Association. Financial challenges were overcome. But above all, it was the personal dedication of committed individuals—with their craftsmanship, ideas, and visions—that turned this project into a success story! It is thanks to this sense of community that not only was an important industrial landmark saved, but the foundation was also laid for a new cultural and social use of the site.