I never heard about Havel until some friends and me checked out the google earth for a trip at the weekend. We went there in the german winter, oh yes...in the winter. I loved this place because is a small city island with a lake (which was frozen at that time) and with lovely houses and an old mill. I have never been there in the summer but i can imagine how wonderful would be.

A green oasis wedged between the continuous blocks of apartments, this Cemetery provides a place to be alone or take sleeping kids. I love how from the front it looks slightly macabre and a rigid with it's iron gate. But if you dare to enter its a fantastic place to escape and think. There's a battle going on locally about adding a building inside the ground to help fund the archive and maintenance of the site. The Chair Anke Reuther feels the park is being disrespected with children playing on the headstones and people using it as a place for picnics. Whilst i don't know the in's and out's I love seeing this beautiful 'life cycle' playing out under the trees (which have probably seen it all before). I love that people use a cemetery for living and in our ever crowded cities a green space is being claimed by the community. I do feel there is a hushed respect that i don't see in other parks which gives the place a reflective mood. Personally another building would ruin the magic of the place. Perhaps some more input from the people who use it could be the key? Or even a re-examination of the inscription above the gate: Make life good and beautiful here, no other world is, no resurrection.

Boutique space offers natural perfumes, organic soulful objects, Japanese crafts/ceramics and antiques, natural incenses and smudges, resins and wood pieces for burning in incense ceremony. There are also Chinese tea ceremony going on Saturdays, zen meditation, scent-related soirees and other workshops.

Historical district with buildings designed by Alvar Aalto, Walter Gropius, Oscar Niemeyer and many more.

It is the connection between Leinestrasse u-Bahn and Tempelofer Feld. The park is wild and quiet, and super relaxing :) it is nice to sit on a bench and do some people-watching: it is a big inspiration for illustrators!