The Elfenau Estate had its heyday in the 19th century when it provided sanctuary to the Russian Grand Duchess Anna Feodorowna (1781 - 1860). In 1814 the émigré Grand Duchess acquired the Brunnadern Estate including the country house dating from 1735. In 1816 she officially registered the name Elfenau. The City of Bern acquired the Elfenau in 1918 and set up the Municipal Nurseries there.