Elfenau and Municipal Gardens: once the park of a Grand Duchess

These are surely magic meadows. Here, not far from the city centre, visitors are in the very heart of nature. This landscape is a combination of baroque architecture, parkland and a natural setting. The estate dates back to the year 1775 when the Elfenaugut was first built. It experienced its heyday in the 19th century when the Russian Grand Duchess Feodorovna sought refuge here. She carefully reshaped the Aare landscape into an estate inspired by the great English gardeners.

Today, the Elfenau, with the Aare nature conservation zone, is a popular destination for excursions and leisure. Its attraction is enhanced by the municipal nurseries’ greenhouse in which a range of exotic plants are displayed. Cultural events of the Elfenau summer programmes continue the tradition of the estate, which was always an important social meeting point.