Peacock Island Berlin:
The History of the Royal Island
What Makes Peacock Island in Berlin So Special?
Peacock Island is a historic island on the Havel River in Berlin’s Wannsee district. Over the centuries, it served as a site for experiments, a royal retreat and a landscaped park. Since 1990, it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin.”
THE BERLIN LOCALS RECOMMEND.
What Is the History of Peacock Island?
The history of Peacock Island dates back long before the castle was built. In the 17th century, rabbits were bred here and experiments in glassmaking were carried out. From 1793 onwards, Prussian kings transformed the island into a romantic landscaped park with a castle, gardens and a royal menagerie, whose animals later helped establish Berlin Zoo.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Location: Berlin-Wannsee, on the Havel River between Berlin and Potsdam
- Size: Approximately 67 hectares of land
- Former name: Kaninchenwerder, among others
- Castle construction: 1794–1795 under Frederick William II of Prussia
- Notable figures: Johann Kunckel, Wilhelmine Encke, Frederick William III of Prussia, Queen Louise and Peter Joseph Lenné
- Special feature: Former royal menagerie housing hundreds of animals
- Nature reserve: Since 1924
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Since 1990
- Access: A short ferry ride from the mainland
Why Peacock Island Is a Special Place to Me
Alright, friends,
I grew up near Oberbaum Bridge. Peacock Island barely plays a role in everyday life in Berlin, and most tourists don't pay much attention to it either.
Nobody casually crosses the Havel River on their way to work just to see a few peacocks. Still, it's one of those places that many Berliners have visited at some point.
For me, it started back in school. I remember going to Peacock Island on a school trip. My last visit was probably about four or five years ago.
What I remember most is the beautiful ferry crossing, followed by those countless old oak trees, the peaceful walking paths and an atmosphere that somehow invites deep conversations.
Then there's the lovingly maintained rose garden and, of course, the white castle, which also makes a great photo spot.
But there's something that's easy to forget when walking around the island: centuries of history unfolded on this small island. And that history wasn't always as peaceful as the landscape looks today.
How Did the History of Peacock Island Begin?
The history of Peacock Island began long before the Prussian kings arrived. Archaeological finds show that people were already using the island in prehistoric times. By the 17th century, it had become known as Kaninchenwerder.
The Great Elector Frederick William established a rabbit-breeding operation here. The animals weren't just for show. They were meant to generate income for the Elector's treasury.
Back then, the island was still largely covered in woodland and dominated by towering oak trees. Some of these trees were already centuries old when the first royal gardens were created.
The name is interesting, too: Names such as Pfau-Werder appeared even before the peacocks we associate with the island today were introduced. The name Peacock Island only became firmly established towards the end of the 18th century.
What Was the Alchemist Johann Kunckel Doing on Peacock Island?
In 1685, the Great Elector granted Peacock Island to the glassmaker and alchemist Johann Kunckel. He was to continue his work on glassmaking and chemical processes there, away from prying eyes.
Kunckel was known for producing the famous gold ruby glass, which got its deep red colour from gold compounds.
A glassworks and a laboratory were built on the island. Smoke, unusual smells and the strict secrecy surrounding his work fuelled rumours on the mainland about attempts to make gold and mysterious experiments.
But it wasn't just about alchemy. The Elector also wanted to develop Brandenburg's economically important glassmaking industry.
In 1689, Kunckel's facilities burned down. After the death of his patron, he had also lost his political support. He ran into financial difficulties and later moved to Sweden.
So, long before Peacock Island became a romantic royal retreat, it was also a place of early technological experimentation.
Why Did Frederick William II Build Peacock Island Palace?
In 1793, King Frederick William II of Prussia took over the island and had it transformed into a private retreat. The project was closely connected to his long-time mistress and confidante, Wilhelmine Encke, who later became Countess of Lichtenau.
Construction of the white palace, with its two towers connected by a bridge, began in 1794 under court master builder Johann Gottlieb Brendel.
Although it looks like a small stone fairytale castle, the building was originally constructed mainly from timber framing with wooden cladding. Its design was intended to resemble a ruined Roman country house.
Wilhelmine had a considerable influence on the palace's design and interiors. One particularly unusual feature was the so-called Otaheitian Cabinet, a tower room imaginatively decorated in a South Pacific style.
The palace reflected the royal desire for seclusion, but also a fascination with distant, exotic worlds.
Frederick William II died in 1797. His plans for a life together on the island never came to fruition.
Why Does the Dairy Look Like a Medieval Ruin?
The dairy building, known as the Meierei, was built in 1794–1795 at the other end of the island. From the outside, it resembles a ruined Gothic monastery, but it was actually a working agricultural building with stables and reception rooms.
Dairy cows were kept there, among other things. For the royal court, this supposedly simple country life was part of the entertainment.
This reveals an interesting side of Prussian garden design: While farmers did the actual physical work, the nobility could enjoy a romanticised version of rural life as a leisure activity.
Similar contrasts can be found in Berlin's historic city centre, where grand buildings and royal gardens were closely tied to the monarchy's display of power.
The Meierei shows just how carefully Peacock Island was designed. Even the buildings that appeared to be falling into ruin were part of a deliberately staged landscape.
How Did Peacock Island Become a Royal Landscape Park?
Under Frederick William III of Prussia and Queen Louise, Peacock Island continued to develop. From the early 19th century onwards, it was increasingly used as a summer retreat for the royal family.
In 1821, Peter Joseph Lenné began an extensive redesign of the landscape. Ancient oak trees were preserved, while new paths, meadows, sightlines and gardens were created.
One of the most important additions was the rose garden. The royal collection eventually grew to around 2,000 rose bushes representing approximately 140 varieties.
Karl Friedrich Schinkel also helped shape the island's appearance. He was involved in several buildings, including the expansion of the Kavaliershaus and the Palm House, which was later destroyed by fire.
The combination of architecture and nature is reminiscent of other historic Berlin gardens and parks, such as the Lustgarten and Volkspark Friedrichshain, although Peacock Island was deliberately designed to feel much more secluded.
Much of what appears to be a natural landscape is actually a carefully designed royal garden.
Why Was Peacock Island Once Home to an Exotic Animal Collection?
Frederick William III of Prussia collected numerous animals from different parts of the world on Peacock Island. Over time, this developed into a royal menagerie with its own buildings, enclosures and animal keepers.
By 1832, the collection had grown to 847 animals. These included monkeys, kangaroos, llamas, hares, bears, various birds and, later, reindeer.
The menagerie reflected the European nobility's fascination with animals from distant parts of the world. At the same time, it was a display of wealth and the ability to bring animals to Prussia through international trade and political connections.
From today's perspective, it also raises questions about the conditions in which these animals were transported and kept.
In 1842, a large part of the animal collection was handed over to the newly founded Berlin Zoological Society.
Peacock Island therefore provided an important foundation for Berlin Zoo, which opened in 1844.
Who Was Harry Maitey, and How Did a Hawaiian Man End Up on Peacock Island?
Harry Maitey is one of the most remarkable figures in the island's history. He came from the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu and arrived in Europe aboard a Prussian ship in the 1820s.
His story shows just how far Prussia's international connections already extended at the time.
In 1830, Maitey was baptised as a Christian and given the name Heinrich Wilhelm. He then came to Peacock Island, where he learned practical craft skills from a master machinist named Friedrich.
He may also have helped create intricate miniature models made from ivory and mother-of-pearl, although his exact role has never been fully established.
In 1833, he married Dorothea Becker, the daughter of an animal keeper. The couple later lived in Klein-Glienicke, where Maitey died in 1872.
Behind the story of this royal island paradise lies the life of a man who had left his home in the Pacific and had to find his place in a completely different society.
How much choice he had in his journey, and what forms of dependency shaped his travels and later life, deserve critical historical examination.
Why Did the Future Emperor Wilhelm I Hide on Peacock Island?
During the March Revolution of 1848, Peacock Island became a refuge for a man who would later become German Emperor.
Prince Wilhelm of Prussia was particularly unpopular because of his stance towards the revolutionaries.
In Berlin, angry citizens demanded that he be removed from the royal court.
On the night leading into 21 March 1848, Wilhelm reached Peacock Island and hid in the home of the royal gardener Fintelmann.
He stayed there for two days and two nights before continuing his escape to England.
Of all people, the future Emperor Wilhelm I had to hide from the revolutionary unrest in Berlin on a remote island.
The episode shows just how directly the political conflicts in the capital reached even this seemingly secluded place.
What Happened to the Famous Palm House?
Between 1829 and 1831, a large Palm House was built on Peacock Island based on designs by Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
The heated glasshouse was home to plants from different parts of the world, including palm trees, banana plants and other species considered unusual at the time.
Inside, the building also featured exotic-inspired decorations. The painter Carl Blechen captured the impressive structure in his paintings.
But on the night of 18–19 May 1880, a fire broke out.
The Palm House was completely destroyed. Its valuable plant collection was also lost, and the cause of the fire was never determined.
Today, only ground markings and the historic layout of the site serve as reminders of this extraordinary building.
Why Did Peacock Island Become a Nature Reserve in 1924?
After the end of the monarchy in 1918, the future of Peacock Island was far from certain. There were plans to develop the island for commercial use.
Proposals included a residential development of villas, a boarding school and a sanatorium for wealthy guests.
The naturalist Wolfgang Stichel campaigned to protect the island's unique plant and animal life.
On 28 February 1924, Peacock Island was officially declared a nature reserve. This effectively put an end to the large-scale development plans.
The decision protected not only the historic park landscape but also valuable natural habitats.
The centuries-old oak trees, for example, are still home to rare beetle species today.
Much like at Weißensee, Peacock Island shows how Berlin's recreational areas can also be valuable and fragile natural habitats.
What Role Did Peacock Island Play During the 1936 Olympic Games?
On 15 August 1936, the Nazis used Peacock Island to host an extravagant celebration marking the end of the Olympic Games in Berlin.
While the sporting competitions had taken place at the Olympic Stadium, the island on the Havel River became the setting for an international propaganda event.
For the so-called Italian Night, a temporary pontoon bridge was constructed. Lanterns, torches, dance performances and an enormous fireworks display dominated the programme.
Among the approximately 1,000 invited guests were international dignitaries, diplomats and representatives of the Nazi regime.
The celebration was intended to present Germany as a glamorous and welcoming nation.
But behind this carefully staged spectacle stood a dictatorship that systematically persecuted people and was already preparing for further political and military expansion.
What Happened on Peacock Island During the Final Days of World War II in 1945?
By late April 1945, Berlin was largely surrounded by the Red Army. The Nazi regime was on the verge of collapse.
According to historical accounts, messengers from the Führerbunker were supposed to reach Peacock Island to hand over important messages to aircraft.
These reportedly included Hitler's political testament and an urgent appeal for help addressed to General Walther Wenck.
The messengers are believed to have reached the island. However, the planned transfer of the messages failed amid the chaos of the final days of the war.
Not all details of this operation are clearly documented, so the accounts should be treated with caution.
What is certain is that Hitler wrote his political testament on 29 April 1945 and died by suicide the following day.
Why Is Peacock Island a UNESCO World Heritage Site Today?
Since 1990, Peacock Island has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin".
The protected heritage includes not only the palace itself but also the combination of historic architecture, landscape design, sightlines and natural surroundings.
The island is also a nature reserve. This makes its maintenance particularly challenging, as the historic gardens must be preserved without damaging sensitive natural habitats.
The ancient oak trees, meadows and numerous animal species are especially valuable.
Following extensive restoration work, Peacock Island Palace reopened to visitors in May 2025.
And that's exactly what makes Peacock Island special to me: You can walk around, enjoy the peace and quiet, and simply take in the landscape. At the same time, almost every building has a story behind it that reaches far beyond Berlin.
My Final Thoughts on the History of Peacock Island
Peacock Island isn't somewhere I visit all the time. It's simply too far removed from my everyday life in Berlin. But maybe that's exactly what makes it so appealing.
I remember the ferry, the ancient oak trees, the rose garden and those walks where you sometimes get lost in long conversations.
Today, I know just how many different stories are hidden behind this peaceful landscape. Alchemists, kings, exotic animals, a Hawaiian man in Prussia, revolutionaries and, finally, the dark chapters of the 20th century.
Peacock Island isn't just a romantic day-trip destination. It's a piece of Berlin history you can explore on foot.
Feel free to check out our other blog posts about Lost Places, the Reichstag, Checkpoint Charlie or Nikolaiviertel.
Berlin isn't a tourist attraction. Berlin is a city.
See you in the real Berlin – or right here in the next blog.
Take care 🖤
Website "https://www.spsg.de/schloesser-gaerten/objekt/pfaueninsel" | Website "https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pfaueninsel" | Website "https://www.berliner-verkehrsseiten.de/pfaueninsel/Die_Geschichte/die_geschichte.html" | Website "https://www.spsg.de/blog/article/2025/05/02/pfaueninsel-2-mai-1945" | MANY OF THE IMAGES IN THIS ARTICLE ARE FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY AND DO NOT SHOW THE ACTUAL LOCATION.
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