Park Vogelgesang, Magdeburg

Vogelgesang Park Magdeburg is a municipal park in the city of Magdeburg.

The 21-hectare park is based in its basic features on the plans of the landscape gardener Rudolf Schoch from 1842 and represents the oldest public park in Magdeburg.

The name of the park comes from a forest originally located here, where in the Middle Ages bird catchers set up nets to catch songbirds.

The first documented mention of the area was in 1377, when the monastery of St. Mary Magdalene and the hospital of St. George acquired the land. In order to prevent wood theft, a keeper was employed who lived on the spot in a keeper's house and already created the first "Vogelgesang Park". Due to wars the park was destroyed again and again in 1550, 1594, 1631 and 1813. As early as 1722 the park was open to the public for the first time and was mainly used by the lower class. This was in contrast to the Herrenkrug Park, which was predominantly used by the upper class. There was a small inn on the edge of the Rothenseer Bush, a flower garden and a maze. The maze was removed as early as 1820. In 1821 a new inn was built, which was later destroyed during the Second World War. In 1841 and 1842, the city of Magdeburg acquired the site from the monastery and the hospital. Then, in 1845, the transformation took place according to Schoch's plans.

In addition to large park-like areas, various individual gardens were created from around 1870, such as the Rose Garden with pergola and fountain, the Rhododendron Valley, the Senkgarten and the Heidegarten. The Dahlia Garden was created in 1925 and housed the largest German dahlia show. 900 varieties were grown here. In 1870 the park's gardener's house was built, and in 1923 a shelter for gardener's employees was built in the western part of the park.

The park developed into a popular destination for excursions. In 1950, a home animal garden was established in the northern part of the park, which became the Magdeburg Zoo in 1959.

In 1980 the park was included in the district monument list as a garden monument. In 1983 and 1984 the historical grounds were reconstructed, especially the rose garden.