From the Königin-Luise-Strasse bus stop it is a 20-minute walk through the Grunewald in Berlin to this hunting lodge on the Grunewaldsee, built by Caspar Theyss for the Elector Joachim II of Brandenburg in 1542. Originally a plain Renaissance-style building, it was frequently altered in later periods. In 1593, during the reign of the Elector John George, an oriel window was added to the rear facade.
Under King Frederick I of Prussia (1657-1713) the house was completely renovated and much altered and finally the service courtyard and store-rooms for hunting equipment were added in the reign of Frederick the Great (1712-86). Frederick William II (1744-97) reintroduced the traditional Red Hunt on St Hubert's Day (Nov. 3) - a tradition still maintained by the Berlin riding clubs. The house was the scene of great activity in 1814, when the Quadriga from the Brandenburg Gate, which Napoleon had carried off to France, was brought back to Berlin and stored here before being returned to its original position.
In 1949 the house was reopened as a museum, and in 1963 it was restored to its original form and color. The collection of German and Dutch pictures of the 15th-19th C. includes rare works by Barthel Bryn, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Anton Graff, van Haarlem, Jacob Jordaens, Franz Krüger, Antoine Pesne and other artists.
The old store-rooms now house a small Hunting Museum with a collection of hunting equipment and trophies.
In a nearby building can be seen a very interesting and instructive forestry exhibition by the German Woodland Protection Society (Schutzgemeinschaft Deutscher Wald).
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