Southeast of Potsdam's city center rises the Telegrafenberg (Telegraph Hill), over 94 meters high. It was named after an optical telegraph. The wing telegraph, erected in 1832 – a six-meter-high mast that transmitted signal combinations using pairs of arms – stood on the wooded hill until 1848. It was part of the optical telegraph line in the Kingdom of Prussia, which served to transmit military messages from Berlin to Koblenz.
Today, the historically significant Albert Einstein Science Park is located on the hill. Since its inception at the end of the 19th century, the science park has been home to scientific institutes of international renown. These include the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), the Potsdam Secular Station of the German Meteorological Service (DWD), the Potsdam Research Unit of the Alfred Wegener Institute (FWTI), and the Astrophysical Institute Potsdam (ISTP). The current name, Albert Einstein Science Park, was adopted around 1992. The park grounds, with their historic buildings, are a protected monument. There is a signposted circular trail through the park. Telegrafenberg is an ideal starting point for hikes. The E10 long-distance hiking trail, among others, passes through here.
