At the northern end of the Babelsberg park, the construction of the steam engine house brought the technical achievements of the 19th century to the park. According to plans by Ludwig Persius, it was built between 1843 and 1845. The decorations give the building a "Norman" character and can be found in the architectural style of the dairy in the New Garden, which Persius also expanded in these years. The boiler and machine rooms, a workshop and the master's apartment were in the basement.
The adversity of the water supply, with which the garden architect Lenné had to struggle, was eliminated by the construction of the steam engine house: Prince Pückler-Muskaus garden design benefited from the new technology. The first fountain system was inaugurated in May 1845. With the addition of a new machine hall in 1865, a steam power of 65 HP was available for the irrigation of the park. The 40 meter high fountain, which shot up from the Havel like a geyser, became a special spectacle.
At the time of the division of Germany, the steam engine house was located directly in the border area, was not accessible and was decaying rapidly.
Translated by Google •
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