Hoppegarten racecourse

King Wilhelm I of Prussia and his Chancellor Otto von Bismarck traveled to Hoppegarten in person to open the racecourse on May 17, 1868. With a 1.200-meter straight in front of the main grandstand, it offered visitors a particularly exciting racing experience. Just two years later, it had its own rail connection, allowing up to 40.000 visitors a day. Hoppegarten quickly developed into the center of horse racing in Germany and, at the same time, a social hub on the eastern edge of Berlin. After losing most of its horses at the end of World War II, the now state-owned Hoppegarten Racing Company strove for a fresh start. Betting on the "Grand Finish" and "Small Finish" was reintroduced, and ladies in large hats were a common sight, not just on the most fashionable race day. After 1990, the track successfully revived the glory of its former glory. The nearly 100-year-old grandstand is exceptionally well-preserved and regularly serves as a backdrop for open-air concerts. The grounds, with their ancient trees, are designated a "nationally valuable cultural monument." From April to October, approximately ten racing events take place here annually, making Hoppegarten a popular destination for the whole family.