Peasant plaisir and gold ruby glass

History and use of the Pfaueninsel, exhibition in the Meierei

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  Meierei auf der Pfaueninsel – Meierei auf der Pfaueninsel © SPSG / Foto: Elvira Kühn

• Mörser in der Meierei auf der Pfaueninsel – Mörser in der Meierei auf der Pfaueninsel © SPSG / Foto: Elvira Kühn

• Saal im Obergeschoss der Meierei auf der Pfaueninsel – Saal im Obergeschoss der Meierei auf der Pfaueninsel © SPSG / Foto: Leo Seidel

Inspired by Jean Jacques Rousseau's motto "Back to Nature", the European aristocracy had "ornamental farms" built at the end of the 18th century. The noble court society staged their romantic ideas of "simple country life" in scenic architecture. In Prussia, it was Frederick William II and his mistress Countess Lichtenau who created a rural plaisir far removed from courtly etiquette with the Meierei on Pfaueninsel.
The Meierei was built in 1794 at the same time as Pfaueninsel Palace. The exterior of the building is reminiscent of a dilapidated monastery ruin. On the ground floor of the Meierei there is a stable where dairy cows were kept. They could be milked by the majesties personally. Afterwards, they went to the whey room, where the butter churn can still be seen today, in which the Countess Lichtenau probably churned the milk cream into butter. The wooden butter moulds in the shape of peacocks have also been preserved. These objects are part of the permanent exhibition on the island's history, which was redesigned in 2010.
Numerous original objects from life on the island as a place of experiencing nature and escaping to the countryside not only describe the milk cult of the time around 1800 but also show other aspects of courtly country life, such as games or illuminations. Also commented on and illustrated are the English and French models for the island and its buildings. A memorial room for Queen Luise, who died in 1810, completes the picture.
The exhibition cabinet on the alchemist and glassmaker Johann Kunckel (c. 1635 to 1703) also deals with the earliest part of the island's history: The last traces of the scientist, who was active on the island from 1685 to 1688 and whose name is primarily associated with the improvement of the technology of gold ruby glass production, are made accessible to the public here for the first time with commentary. A leaflet on the subject is available on the island.
On the upper floor of the dairy there is a magnificent hall with illusionistic paintings and stuccowork in the neo-Gothic style.

Runtime: from June 2016

Price info: Included in the admission to the Meierei. admission to Pfaueninsel (ferry): single price € 4.00 / reduced € 3.00 (incl. park map) family ticket € 8.00 (2 adults + max. 4 children up to the age of 18, valid on 1 day) annual ticket € 23.00 (on sale at the Fährhaus on Pfaueninsel)

Price: €3.00

Reduced price: €2.00

Takes place here:

• Schloss und Park Pfaueninsel