Every year, millions of visitors walk past the towering hotel buildings and gaudy billboards of Hardenbergplatz to reach an elegant portal decorated with stone lions. Here, they embark on a fascinating journey into the animal kingdom. From 1 August 2019, Germany’s oldest zoo, which is also Berlin’s longest-standing public holding company, will be celebrating its 175th birthday with a series of special events.
Zoo Berlin is famous far beyond the borders of Germany, delighting visitors from all corners of the globe. It is a peaceful haven set amid the hustle and bustle of the city, a place of learning and discovery, and a centre for research and species conservation. It is also home to more species than any other zoo. “More than any other institution in the world, Zoo Berlin displays the incredible diversity of the creatures that inhabit our planet,” says Zoo and Tierpark Director Dr Andreas Knieriem. “Our 175th birthday represents a wonderful opportunity to take a look back at the zoo’s history and celebrate with our visitors.” The anniversary celebrations start on Thursday 1 August with a very special birthday cake. On 2 August, the zoo will stay open an extra 175 minutes, allowing locals and visitors from all over the world to soak up the magical evening atmosphere among okapis, elephants and other fascinating animals. And on the weekend, visitors can enjoy a varied entertainment programme including animal-related crafts and exclusive peeks behind the scenes. It is an occasion for people of all ages to come together and celebrate a major milestone in the history of a much-loved Berlin institution.
In the lead up to the big jubilee party, Zoo Berlin is taking its visitors on a journey back in time. Eight stations set up at various points around the park show historic photographs of how those locations looked in days gone by. And children and teenagers can learn more about the zoo’s rich and varied past by taking part in our puzzlehunt. Armed with a puzzlehunt form, they can explore the history of the zoo and test their knowledge, answering questions like: What is the secret hidden in the craggy cliff where the goats live? Which iconic zoo animal is the subject of a popular song from the 1930s?
Zoo Berlin’s social media platforms (www.facebook.com/zooberlin and www.instagram.com/zooberlin) are already preparing for the celebrations by sharing fascinating glimpses into the zoo’s past and plenty of fun animal anecdotes.
