Georgia. During the Soviet times, many impressive buildings were built in the former Soviet Union. Especially the bizarre, futuristic-looking buildings in the style of Soviet Modernism and Brutalism attract attention. And if you look closely, you can even discover large-scale mosaics or reliefs on some of the buildings. Also in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, unique icons of Soviet architecture and Brutalism were created during this time.

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If you are interested in Soviet architecture, you will love Tbilisi!

We took a guided tour of Tbilisi's Soviet architecture and Brutalism with expert Nini Palavandishvili. This was comfortably by car through the city center as well as to the outskirts of Tbilisi. If you have a little more time, it is also possible to visit the buildings by public transport.

Other worthwhile day trips from Tbilisi include a visit to the Vardsia Cave Monastery*or a tour of the legendary Cable Cars of Chiatura*.

Yesterday's Visions of the Future: Soviet Architecture in Tbilisi

When one hears the term "Soviet architecture", one has in mind either the monumental buildings in the Zuckerbäcker style or the futuristic buildings of Soviet Modernism. Both architectural styles are very different. Here is a brief overview:

Soviet Realism (Classicism) 1950-55

In Stalin's time, architecture was not only a question of functionality and aesthetics, but rather a question of attitude. The general happiness promised by the communist worldview included people living in magnificent palaces. Urban planning was subject to certain rules and development plans, and architects planned according to strict specifications. Public buildings in particular were supposed to impress with their architecture and were seen as signposts to the future. Soviet Realism is also often called Zuckerbäckerstil "wedding cake style". This is because the often monumental buildings with their lavish decorations quickly make one think of the form and decoration of wedding cakes. The death of Stalin was also the end of this architectural style.

By the way, you can also see beautiful examples of the Zuckerbäckerstil during a walk along Karl-Marx-Allee (formerly Stalinallee) in Berlin .

Soviet Modernism from 1955 to 1991 and Brutalism

While Soviet Realism can still be seen as a signpost to the future, Soviet Modernism has arrived in the future. The buildings seem futuristic, stand out and somehow fall out of concept.

Soviet Modernism and Brutalism, unlike Soviet Realism, seem to dispense with any guidelines. Each building is different and unique. Sometimes the beauty of the buildings is only apparent at second glance, often they are scorned as an ugly legacy from the Soviet era. But those who take a closer look are quickly taken in by the architecture, which seems to follow no rules whatsoever. Unfortunately, many of these buildings were abandoned after the collapse of the Soviet Union, fell into disrepair and were demolished.

The roots of Soviet Modernism were laid by the French architect Le Corbusier. Particularly impressive are the buildings created in the late Soviet phase from the 1960s to the beginning of the 1980s. They are classified as "Soviet Brutalism". The term brutalism does not stand for brutality but for "béton brut". This is French and means "raw concrete" in German. This architectural style was significantly influenced by the architect Le Corbusier. Characteristic features are simple geometric shapes, emphasis on the construction itself and the use of exposed concrete.

In the buildings in the style of Soviet Modernism, instead of the raw concrete also often used cladding materials, such as marble, sandstone, shell limestone or cheaper substitute material.

Mosaics and reliefs of the Soviet period

As early as the 1930s, art was used to spread communist propaganda. Numerous large-scale mosaics were created, decorating the facades of buildings or even bus stops. They depicted scenes from the world of work, science, technology, as well as family and sports. In the Soviet republics further away from Moscow, national and folkloric motifs were also mixed in.

The commissions for the mosaics were given centrally to mosaic workshops. As a result, the artists who created the mosaics are often not even known. Only since the last years a systematic documentation of the still existing mosaics takes place. Just like many buildings of Soviet architecture and Brutalism, many of the works of art in Tbilisi are unfortunately already lost, dilapidated or built over.

Bank of Georgia (former Ministry of Road Construction)

The former Ministry of Road Construction is a timeless appearance of floating blocks stacked on top of each other à la Tetris. It is one of the most important buildings of Soviet architecture in Tbilisi and even in all of Georgia. Even today, the building is a real eye-catcher.

When planning the building, the architects followed the concept of the "space city", which is patented in Georgia. The idea is to use less floor space by building a house on columns. Nature should be less affected and light open spaces should be created, as between the tree trunk (the supports of the house) and the tree crown (the building's beams). In the end, everything should benefit the psychological well-being of the residents.

Since 2006, the building has belonged to the Bank of Georgia, which has used it as its headquarters since 2010. In 2007, the complex was listed as a National Monument.

Architects: Giorgi Chakhava, Zurab Jalagonia
Completion date: 1975
Address: 29a Iuri Gagarini St, Tbilisi, Gruzja

Tbilisi Skybridge

The skyscrapers on the outskirts of Tbilisi were among the most impressive pieces of Soviet architecture we visited. These three tall apartment buildings were built on the slopes in Nutsubidze Street. All three are connected by a skybridge. You can reach the bridge by taking the elevator to the 14th floor in the first block. For this you need a 20 Tetri coin, which you put into a slot machine in the elevator. I would not recommend the staircase, because it is mostly locked at the top. From the elevator you can walk over the bridge through the buildings. You will pass a small bench and a tiny store on the 14th floor. From the skybridge you also have a great view of the surrounding living quarters. At the end of the bridge you come out at the top of the slope on the street.

Architect: Otar Kalandarishvili, Gizo Potskhishvili
Construction period: 1974-1976
Address: Shalva Nutsubidze St, Tbilisi, Gruzja

You are planning a road trip?

Travel Guide Book – Georgia – Caucasus*

This book by OunTravela invites you to explore the wildest corners of Georgia. Along 24 routes you will discover picturesque landscapes, rugged mountains, monasteries, fortresses, and centuries-old fortified towers. In addition to detailed descriptions of the 4x4 routes, you will find a wealth of additional information about the country and its people as well as tips for your planning. The latter range from suggestions for overnight campsites to rental companies of expedition-ready 4x4 vehicles and worthwhile photo spots. You can also purchase a map and GPS tracks for navigation.

Museum of Archaeology

The Museum of Archaeology is reminiscent of an Egyptian temple. It is perched on a hill right next to the Saint Nino Monument. Unfortunately, the museum has never been opened. Nevertheless, it houses an archaeological collection inside and is therefore locked and closely guarded.

Architects: Sh. Kavlashvili and Sh. Gwantseladze
Completion date: 1988
Address: 9, Motsikulta Stsori Nino St

Mosaic at Saburtalo Fire Station

The huge mosaic on the facade of the fire station focuses on a fireman. Around him, several well-known buildings of Tbilisi can be seen. Among them is the medieval Metekhi Church, the Circus, as well as the Sports Palace and the former Iveria Hotel in the style of Soviet Modernism. In addition, the mosaic depicts buildings with Persian and Byzantine architecture. This juxtaposition is intended to illustrate that in Tbilisi East and West meet.

Artist: Givi Kervalishvili
Completion date: 1979
Address: Gorgasali St 34, behind Ortachala Bus Station

Ortachala Central Bus Station

Between 1964 and 1973, a new central bus station was built in Ortachala. This was designed to handle around 18,500 passengers per day. In addition to the actual bus stops, the station also includes restaurants, cafes, stores and a hotel. The facades of the building are clad with natural stone and in large part also glazed. Next to the staircase, the mosaic "History of Transport" by Zurab Tsereteli is placed on the facade.

Architects: Ramaz Kiknadze, Vladimir Kurtishvili and Shota Kavlashvili
Artist: Zurab Tsereteli
Completion date: 1973
Address: Ortachala Bus Station

Book recommendations for architecture fans

Can't get enough of Soviet architecture and mosaics either? Then take a closer look at these three books*. You will love them.

Technical Library

Completed in 1986, the Technical Library is another prestigious object of Soviet Modernism and Brutalism in Tbilisi. The structure is an elongated bar surrounded by a dark concrete ring. The windows are framed by a seemingly endless repetition of fan-like concrete swords.

Architect: G. Bichiashvili
Completion date: 1986
Address: 47 Merab Kostava St

Laguna Vere Water and Sports Complex

The swimming complex with three pools, slide, a sports hall and a tribune for 5,500 spectators was completed in 1978. It hosted not only national but also international events. However, the complex became less and less profitable over time and finally closed in 2014. Today, the facility serves car dealers as a workshop and warehouse. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to enter the complex. However, we were able to sneak onto the grandstand from the back and look down on the now overgrown pool from above.

There is also a monumental mosaic preserved above the entrance area on the street. It is one of the longest mosaics in all of Georgia.

Architects and artists: Shota Kavlashvili, Guram Abuladze, Ramaz Kiknadze, Koka Ignatov
Completion date : 1978
Address: M. Kostava St 34

Mother Georgia

Twenty meters high "Mother Georgia" was erected to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of Tbilisi. In one hand she holds a bowl of wine with which she welcomes guests. But in the other hand she carries a sword with which she fights off enemies. The statue, originally made of wood and later covered with aluminum, was replaced by a new one in 1997.

Sculptor: Elguja Amashukeli
Completion date: 1958
Address: Sololaki St

Radio Computing Centre

The Radio Computing Centre belongs to the Radio Fortuna Holding. It was formerly also known as Transcaucasia Power Control Centre or Managing Computing Centre of the United Board of Energy System of Transcaucasia.

Architects:: S. Kavlashvili, G. Djanebirdze and S. Katsitadze
Completion date: 1973

Other Buildings

Unfortunately, our time in Tbilisi was very limited. But since I immediately took the city into my heart, I hope to return soon. Because there are many more impressive buildings of Soviet architecture and in the style of Brutalism waiting, such as the campus of the University of Tbilisi.

Book Recommendations for Georgia

Do you want to know where the journey is going? Then I can recommend this travel guides* to you.

You can order the travel guides on Amazon by clicking on the pictures. If you buy a product via an affiliate link, I get a small commission, and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you, and you will do me a huge favor.

Did you like the Soviet Architecture and Brutalism in Tbilisi? Do you have any questions about my article? If yes, then write me a comment!

Do you want to know when there are new articles on my blog? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends.

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Recommendations for further Reading

Do you love Soviet architecture and lost places as much as I do? Then you might also be interested in my articles about Eisenhüttenstadt or about the GDR Architecture in Berlin.

Der Beitrag Zukunftsvisionen von Gestern: Sowjetische Architektur in Tiflis erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

Georgia. For more than 60 years, the "hanging coffins" transported the inhabitants of the industrial city of Chiatura to windy heights. But since summer 2019, the legendary cable cars of Chiatura have been at a standstill. In the end, the gondolas were a bit too rusty and the technology too outdated. But the cable car stations from the 1950s and 60s are still there and are witnesses to the history and the former glory of the city. And usually one or the other gondola still hangs in the air very close to the stations.

Unassigned, unpaid advertising. The article contains affiliate links.

When we visited Chiatura in July 2021, we were overwhelmed by the impressions. However, we were also a bit disoriented. There are indeed numerous blog articles on the Internet with great photos when the cable cars of Chiatura were still in operation. But where the photos were taken remained unclear. To make your search for Tschiatura's treasures a little easier, I have therefore compiled my favorite photo motifs in a map. So you can explore the city on your own and know immediately what awaits you where.

But first, let's go back to a time when Chiatura still looked into a rosy future.

In this Article you will find

Short History of Chiatura and the Cable Cars
Cable Cars, Buildings, Pioneer Palace and more
What's next for Chiatura?
How to get to Chiatura
What is the best way to get around the City?
What else is there in the Area?
Book Recommendations for Georgia

Short History of Tschiatura and the Cable Cars

Tschiatura was founded at the end of the 19th century and before the First World War possessed the largest manganese ore deposit in the world. Manganese mining at that time amounted to 60% of the world production. Even during the Soviet era, the city remained an important center of manganese mining. Investments were made, including the construction of ropeways.

Chiatura is located in a deeply cut, long valley of the Kvirila River. The main means of transportation were cable cars with a total length of more than 6,000 meters. The first cableway was built in Chiatura in 1953. More lines followed in the 1950s and 1960s. In total, there were 70 ropeways for transporting people, materials and manganese ore. This made Chiatura the city with the most ropeways in the world. For a long time, the hand-operated gondolas were the only means of public transportation in the city.

The cable cars operated almost without interruption until the summer of 2019. But eventually, the last two remaining passenger cable cars stopped operating due to official orders. During our stay we could only see one cargo line for the transport of ore in operation.

Cable Cars, Buildings, Pioneer Palace and more

Map with Photo Motifs

In the following map I marked most of the motives I describe in this chapter with a camera pin. For each pin there is also a small photo. So you can orientate yourselves more easily. The map should be a little help for your own explorations. However, there is so much more to discover in Chiatura and I could have easily spent two or three days here.

Tip: In the free app Maps.me you can download an offline map of Georgia. The map shows the cable car stations and lines. So you can explore even more stations.

Monumental Welcome

We entered the city on the main road coming from the west. Shortly after the town entrance sign, Chiatura greets us with an overwhelming monument commemorating World War II. Next to it, several prefabricated buildings provide a great background.

In the City Center

We wind our way down the road into the Kvirila Valley. Soon we reach the center of town with a small market, numerous stores, and typical chaotic city traffic. After parking our Lada, we are off. We don't know exactly where to go and stroll through the city for the time being. Every few meters we discover something new that fascinates us. Soon we come to the first cable car station. Shortly before the station a red-yellow gondola is still hanging. Remnants of the advertising signage are still visible.

From the underpass under the railroad tracks we come to the bridge over the Kvirila. To the right and left are architectural gems such as City Hall and the Registry Office, as well as whimsical structures on the riverbank housing stores.

In the center of the city, the elongated row of stores on the main street is a real eye-catcher. We follow the main street to the traffic circle on Ninoshvili Street. Here we find a large mosaic on the facade of the school.

Back on the main road we go a little further uphill and come to a market. There is also an old cable car station here.

Highlight of Chiatura: the Stalin Ropeway and Peace Ropeway

From here we walk along the bank of the Kvirila back towards the car. Very close to our parking place one of the highlights of Chiatura is waiting for us: the station of the Peace Ropeway and the Stalin Ropeway. The station itself is meanwhile firmly closed, but also from the outside it is a great motive and one can peek in at several places. I quickly spotted the black and white graffiti on the wall. Unfortunately only a part of it is visible, but I recognize it from photos on the internet: it shows a kneeling miner with a shovel. On both lines there are still two gondolas hanging in the air.

From the station, the yellow gondolas of the Stalin Ropeway across the river to the opposite mountain. This line was the first cable car in the Soviet Union in 1953. Accordingly, the gondolas are now rusty and the windows are cloudy from dirt and scratches. One gondola could carry six passengers. In addition, a gondola lady rode in each gondola. Her job was to ensure safe operation and report any abnormalities in the gondola to the mechanic.

The Peace Line goes north from the station. It is the line with the blue gondolas and dates back to 1964. This line is also the steepest cable car in Chiatura with a 48 degree incline and is even one of the steepest in the world. In the small gondolas fit just 4 people. There are also no more windows, as in the Stalin cable car, but only small barred portholes.

Detour to the Pioneer Palace

South of the Kvirila River, high up on the slope, is the former Pioneer Palace. You can reach it either by cable car or by your own car. The palace still shows its former splendor. The wide entrance staircase is lined with a large semicircle of columns. Some of them have already collapsed. The entire building is badly dilapidated and it appears that it will collapse like a house of cards at the next slight breeze. I myself did not go inside. Cows are less fearful and use the empty building as a shelter.

Cargo Ropeway in Action

We leave the city along the river in the direction of Tbilisi. After a short ride we finally see one of Chiatura's cable cars in action. It is a freight line for transporting the mined ore. Several gondolas cross the track, which is covered with nets in places. The nets are a damn good idea, because there are actually several chunks of rock in them that have fallen out of the ore gondolas.

Not far behind the freight gondolas is another disused passenger ropeway. Here, too, a gondola hangs in the air just before the station. You will also find an adventurous narrow pedestrian bridge leading to an industrial building.

Photo Motifs at the Exit of Chiatura

At the town exit we see a large Tschiatura sign and a green stele with a wreath. To the right of the road there are tracks and behind a fence there is a railroad wagon. All four give each of them again great photo motifs to say goodbye.

You are planning a road trip?

Travel Guide Book – Georgia – Caucasus*

This book by OunTravela invites you to explore the wildest corners of Georgia. Along 24 routes you will discover picturesque landscapes, rugged mountains, monasteries, fortresses, and centuries-old fortified towers. In addition to detailed descriptions of the 4x4 routes, you will find a wealth of additional information about the country and its people as well as tips for your planning. The latter range from suggestions for overnight campsites to rental companies of expedition-ready 4x4 vehicles and worthwhile photo spots. You can also purchase a map and GPS tracks for navigation.

What's next for Chiatura?

The legendary "hanging coffins" of Chiatura are now hanging in the air. So is the town's application to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The rusty gondolas and Soviet-style cable car stations have long been the heartbeat of the city. So much of the city's history and individual stories are linked to the cable cars that, in my view, it would be unthinkable to abandon or even demolish the gondolas and stations. I wish so much for the city to be included in the industrial heritage list and would be happy if the shuttered sites were preserved and prepared for tourist visits. However, it is unclear whether this will succeed. After all, the new cable cars of Chiatura may be an obstacle for inclusion in the UNESCO list.

A little tourism would certainly do the city good. After all, the manganese reserves will not last forever. In about 15 years, the deposits in the area are expected to be exhausted. What will happen to the jobs and the inhabitants of the mining town then? The population has already shrunk by almost half since the early 1990s. The reason for this at the time was problems with electricity, water and gas supplies, as well as declining manganese mining. Today, around 13,000 people live in the city. How many of them then still see their future in a mining town without mining?

How to get to Chiatura

Chiatura is located about 60 kilometers from Kutaisi. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the city by rental car or marshrutka. From Tbilisi it takes about 2-3 hours.

The city can also be reached by train. There are also guided tours from Tbilisi at GetYourGuide.

What is the best way to get around the City?

The center and some of the cable car stations in the valley can be explored very well on foot. Since the old cable cars of Tschiatura are no longer running, it is not so easy to reach the upper stations.

A new, modern cable car with four stations is currently under construction. Everything looked ready in July 2021. However, none was in operation yet. Possibly, the launch, like many other things, has been delayed by Covid-19. The main station of the new cable car is located in the center next to the river and near the stores.

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Click on the image to go to Amazon. If you buy a product through this affiliate link, I get a small commission and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting content. The product will not be more expensive for you and you do me a huge favor.

What else is there in the Area?

Only about 10 kilometers west of Chiatura is Kazchi Pillar. This is a freestanding rock about 40 meters high, on which there is a tiny monastery.

About halfway in the direction of Tbilisi is the town of Gori, where Stalin was born. The Stalin Museum was opened here in 1957 in his honor. Don't expect a detailed rehash of the atrocities the dictator committed during his reign here. It's more like a big cult palace, even souvenirs like coffee mugs, fridge magnets, baseball caps or backgammon games with Stalin's portrait are available here. was opened here in 1957 in his honor. Don't expect a detailed rehash of the atrocities the dictator committed during his reign here. It's more like a big cult palace, even souvenirs like coffee mugs, fridge magnets, baseball caps or backgammon games with Stalin's portrait are available here.

Book Recommendations for Georgia

Do you want to know where the journey is going? Then I can recommend this travel guides* to you.

You can order the travel guides on Amazon by clicking on the pictures. If you buy a product via an affiliate link, I get a small commission, and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you, and you will do me a huge favor.

Have you ever been to Chiatura and maybe even used one of the cable cars? How did you like it? Do you have any questions about my article? If yes, then write me a comment!

Do you want to know when there are new articles on my blog? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Recommendations for further Reading

Do you love Soviet architecture and lost places as much as I do? Then you might also be interested in my articles about Eisenhüttenstadt or about the GDR Architecture in Berlin.

Der Beitrag Tschiatura – Legendäre Seilbahnen, Lost Places, Sowjetarchitektur und mehr erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

Nairobi, Kenya. "I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Mountains." This is the beginning of one of the most beautiful Africa films ever produced. The basis for the film " Out of Africa" is the novel "The African Farm", which Karen Blixen wrote in Denmark in 1937. The farmhouse where Karen Blixen lived for 17 years and where parts of the film were shot is now a museum. When you visit, you feel transported to another time and could almost think that you are suddenly in the middle of this fantastic film yourself. An absolute "must" for all fans. On a guided tour through the museum you will learn many interesting things about the life of Karen Blixen on the coffee farm on the edge of the Ngong Mountains.

Advertising. The article contains affiliate links.

Who was Karen Blixen?

Karen Blixen was born in 1885 and grew up in Rungsted on the coast of Denmark. At 29, she married her Swedish half-cousin, Baron Bror von Blixen-Finecke. They both had a great love of adventure in common. They soon left Denmark to start a new life in Kenya. The couple bought the Mbogani farmhouse near the Ngong Mountains in 1917. This became the heart of their 4500 hectare farm with the approximately 600 hectare coffee plantation. Karen ran the farm almost alone, while her spouse preferred to enjoy big game hunting. More than 1000 people worked for her, there was medical care and even a school.

Travel tip:
Make it easy for yourself and book your visa with the experts at Handvisas. You are also in the best hands here for the electronic travel authorization (eTA) required from 2024, which replaces the Kenya Visa. ersetzt, bist du hier in den besten Händen.

But the coffee farm was not doing very well. It was located at about 2,000 meters, too high for coffee cultivation, and the soil was also too acidic. Drought, plagues of locusts, floods, epidemics and a fire repeatedly presented Karen Blixen with new challenges. The marriage did not go well either, and they finally divorced in 1925.

Karen continued to run the financially struggling farm on her own. Finally, Karen found new happiness in her relationship with the Englishman Denys Finch Hatton. But the happiness was short-lived: in 1931 Denys crashed his plane in Tsavo West National Park and died. In the same year, Karen finally had to sell her coffee farm at a forced auction. She then left Kenya and returned to the family estate in Rungsted. There she devoted herself to writing and published several major works. In 1937, she finally published her book "The African Farm." In 1962, Karen Blixen died in Denmark at the age of 77. More than 20 years later, in 1985, her novel was made into a film starring Meryl Streep, Robert Redford and Klaus Maria Brandauer. The film "Out of Africa" won several Oscars and made the Danish author world famous.

Karen Blixen's pseudonym on the German book market is usually Tania Blixen. Her English-language books, on the other hand, mostly appeared under the pseudonym Isak Dinesen.

The Karen Blixen Museum

In 1964, the Danish government purchased the farmhouse where Karen Blixen lived from 1917 to 1931 and donated it to Kenya to celebrate its independence from Great Britain. The property was initially used as a home economics school. In 1985, filming for "Out of Africa" began here. Subsequently, the National Museums of Kenya acquired the property to open a museum here.

With the help of a donation from the film production company Universal Films, the house was renovated and furnished in the style of the time. For this purpose, it was even possible to buy back many pieces of furniture that Karen Blixen had sold before she left Africa. In addition to furniture, furnishings and hunting trophies, old photos and books are on display. Furthermore, the bronze bust of Karen Blixen, made by the artist Harald Isenstein, can be admired. Today, the house offers a unique insight into the everyday life of the coffee farmer.

The museum consists of the old Mbogani main house, a separate kitchen building, a coffee drying area and a large park-like garden. Between tall eucalyptus trees and palms, old carts and individual farm implements from long ago are on display. The flat bungalow with its verandas, however, is smaller than I expected. It was built in 1912 according to plans by Swedish architect Ake Sjogren. At that time, the capital Nairobi was still about 10 kilometers away. Today, the city's suburbs have grown up around the former farm. Now, mainly ministers and government officials live in the upscale suburb of Karen.

From the property you have a good view of the peaks of the Ngong Mountains, where Karen Blixen had her lover Dennis Finch Hatton buried in 1931.

The museum is open daily from 9:30 to 18:00.
Guided tours are offered continuously.
Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the museum.
More information on the website of National Museums of Kenya.

Tip: After the Karen Blixen Museum, visit the Giraffe Centre Nairobi.It is also located in the suburb of Karen and is known for the conservation breeding of the endangered Rothschild giraffes.

Book recommendations for Kenya

Do you want to know where the journey is going? Then I can recommend this travel guides* to you.

You can order the travel guides on Amazon by clicking on the pictures. If you buy a product via an affiliate link, I get a small commission, and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you, and you will do me a huge favor.

Do you know the Karen Blixen Museum in Nairobi? How did you like it? Do you have any questions or suggestions regarding my article? If so, please write me a comment!

Do you want to know when there are new articles on my blog? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Recommendations for further Reading

Do you love historic buildings that tell stories as much as I do? Then you might also be interested in my articles about a Visit to the Bradbury Building in Los Angeles or Haus Schwarzenberg, a Street Art Hotspot in Berlin.

Der Beitrag „Ich hatte eine Farm in Afrika…“ Besuch im Karen Blixen Museum, Nairobi erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

Berlin. Monumental propaganda buildings, boulevards and prefabricated buildings. A walk from Alexanderplatz along Karl-Marx-Allee to Frankfurter Tor is a discovery tour in the footsteps of the GDR. In addition to the magnificent showpieces of socialism, you will find old advertising signs, fountains, mosaics or small hidden details on the facades of the houses. In the following article I take you on a tour through Berlin and show you a few impressive examples of GDR architecture.

Unassigned, unpaid advertising. The article contains affiliate links.

TV Tower at Alexanderplatz

I don't think there are as many different souvenirs of any building in Berlin as there are of the TV Tower at the Alex: magnets, pencil sharpeners, cuddly TV towers, liquor bottles, cookie cutters and much more. Nothing that does not exist. It's hard to imagine the city without Berlin's tallest landmark, the 368 meter tower. You can see it from so many corners towering through the rows of houses, pointing the way. And when planes could still land at the inner-city Tegel Airport, it welcomed incoming passengers from afar.

Photo tip: From the roof terrace of the Park Inn Hotel opposite you have a great view of the tower.

TIP: How about breakfast in the restaurant at 203 meters above sea level*? The restaurant rotates once an hour and you have a fantastic view of the city. Or perhaps you'd prefer the three-course menu in the evening*?

Address: Panoramastrasse 1A

World Time Clock

The world time clock at the Alex is not only a popular meeting place, but also a great photo motif. Either in its entirety or just a section of the hour ring with the planetary system as a crown. There are no limits to your creativity here. For example, the TV tower can be used as a background. And since there are always a lot of people around the clock, street photographers also get their chance here. 

Address: Alexanderplatz 1

"Nuttenbrosche" - Fountain of Friendship between Peoples

There are always so many people sitting on the wall around the fountain that you usually don't see the beautiful enamel work by Walter Womacka in the middle of the fountain. Therefore my tip: go to the Alex on a Sunday morning to take pictures. Then the light is the most beautiful and you can choose your motifs in peace.

By the way, the fountain of friendship built in 1970 is also affectionately called "hooker brooch" which means as much as brooch of prostitutes.

Address: Alexanderplatz 9

Berlin Congress Center

The Berlin Congress Center (BCC), together with the neighboring Haus des Lehrers (House of Teacher), forms a listed ensemble on Alexanderplatz. Both buildings were constructed in the early 1960s during the complete reconstruction of Alexanderplatz, which was destroyed during World War II. The nearby Haus des Reisens (House of Travel) and the Haus der Statistik (House of Statistics) were also part of the redevelopment plan at the time and were built around the same time.

After about three years of construction, the Haus des Lehrers and the Congress Center opened on September 9, 1964. At that time, the People's Chamber of the GDR met in the center, which was equipped with state-of-the-art technology and seating for over 1,000 people. But when the Palace of the Republic opened in 1976, the People's Chamber moved to the even more modern and prestigious building next to Berlin Cathedral.

After reunification, the building ensemble was finally sold and renovated for around 15 million euros. In the process, the entire technology was renewed and 23 event rooms with up to 2,500 seats were created.

Address: Alexanderstraße 11

House of the Teacher with Walter Womacka Mosaic

Around the House of the Teacher stretches the wide mosaic "Our Life" by the famous artist Walter Womacka. It represents the achievements of science in a Mexican style. The House of the Teacher is a superlative building not only because of the mosaic of millions of little stones: at that time, in 1964, it was the first high-rise building on Alexanderplatz.

TIP: The mosaic is difficult to photograph. Either you have falling lines or only a small section of the artwork in the picture. It is best to try to photograph it from further away with a telephoto lens.

Address: Alexanderstraße 9

House of Travel

The Haus des Reisens was opened in 1971. Today, the building with its extraordinary architectural details is listed as an example of international architecture of the 1970s. These beautiful details include the wave-shaped canopy and the copper relief "Man Overcomes Time and Space" by the artist Walter Womacka.

The 18-story House of Travel was home to the headquarters of the Travel Agency of the German Democratic Republic and offices of Interflug until German reunification. It also housed counters for air and train traffic, the central foreigners' service of the travel agency with the foreigners' registration service, and an exchange office of the Industrie- und Handelsbank.

TIP: On the 12th floor as well as on the roof terrace on the 15th floor, the Week End Club invites you to chill out and party.

Address: Alexanderstraße 7

House of Statistics

The House of Statistics was opened in 1970 as the headquarters of the GDR's State Central Administration for Statistics. It was built according to socialist ideals as part of the redevelopment of the war-damaged Alexanderplatz.

After German reunification, the Federal Statistical Office and the Federal Commissioner for Stasi Documents used the buildings. Since 2008, the buildings have stood empty. The Federal Republic of Germany, as the owner, already intended to demolish and sell the property. But in 2017, the Berlin Senate bought the ensemble of buildings at a price of 50 million euros.

Extensive refurbishment and conversion measures for mixed use for administration, culture, education, social services and housing are planned.

Address: Otto-Braun-Strasse 70-72

Café Moscow

Café Moskau is located directly opposite the Cinema International. At the time of the GDR, it was a nationality restaurant serving food from different peoples of the Soviet Union. It opened in 1964 and had more than 600 seats inside.

An eye-catcher to this day is the full-size model of the Sputnik satellite on the roof above the entrance. Below it, the large mosaic "From the Life of the Peoples of the Soviet Union" by the painter Bert Heller decorates the entrance area.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Treuhand took over the building, which was listed as a historical monument in 1990. After it stood empty for about ten years, various events were again held in the café from 2000. In 2007, the popular meeting place was then renovated in accordance with the preservation order and a new room concept, new building technology and a new glass facade were implemented.

The mosaic painting takes up the entire wall height in the entrance area. The detailed work of natural stone contains golden accents in some places. In the upper left corner of the mosaic you can also spot the Sputnik satellite.

Address: Karl-Marx-Allee 34

Cinema International

The large-capacity Cinema International opened in 1963 and hosted film premieres until 1990. The three-story reinforced concrete skeleton building appears light and airy. This impression is reinforced because the cinema hall cantilevers nine meters above the first floor without a single support and appears to float above it. With its large glass surface, the entrance area appears open and inviting.

In addition to the cinema hall, there were also other rooms, including a representation room. This is where the party leadership met after the premieres, which is why the room is called the "Honecker Lounge" today. There was also a library and even a small nuclear bunker in the basement.

Address: Karl-Marx-Allee 33

Former Mocha Milk Ice Cream Bar

The Mokka-Milch ice cream bar was planned as one of eleven analog pavilions. However, only five of these were actually realized in the early 1960s. In addition to the Mokka-Milch-Eisbar, these were the Madeleine fashion salon with the Interflor flower shop, the Babette beauty salon, Kunst im Heim and the Centrum shoe store. The flat hall buildings are all clad with yellow ceramic tiles on the outer facades and have an open gallery floor inside.

Together with the Kino International and Café Moskau, the five pavilions form an ensemble that blends into the surrounding residential complex. The ensemble originally included the Hotel Berolina behind the cinema. But this was demolished in 1996. A similar-looking high-rise building was built on the same site, which eventually housed the Mitte City Hall. All the buildings together are an extremely worth seeing example of GDR architecture in Berlin.

The Mocha Milk Ice Cream Bar soon achieved cult status and was especially popular with young people. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, however, the bar had to close. It was not until 1993 that the building reopened with the Alberts restaurant and the A-Lounge nightclub. At Alberts, you could even try classic eastern dishes, such as ragout fin of veal, cold dog, sausage goulash or steak au four. But in 2019, Alberts, and with it the last restaurant in the pavilions, closed its doors.

In May 2018, plans were presented according to which the five built pavilions will be completed in the future.

Address A-Lounge: Karl-Marx-Allee 35

Long tested and much loved: my three companions on photo tours: the lightweight carbon tripod CT-5C I from Rollei*, the cleaning kit from Rollei*and my indestructible camera backpack, the Flipside from Lowepro*.

"Floating Ring" at Strausberger Platz

In the middle of Strausberger Platz, which was redesigned at the end of the 1960s, stands the "Schwebender Ring" fountain designed by Fritz Kühn. Built in 1966, the fountain takes its name from the monumental decorative ring that is held in suspension by several posts in the center of the fountain. The ring consists of 16 rectangular relief panels showing combinations of diamond and pyramid shapes. Each relief also shows a different combination. The water fountain in the center of the ring reaches a height of up to 18 meters. In addition, the ring is surrounded by smaller water fountains. Due to the spray of water, the pillars supporting the ring are barely visible, making it appear as if the ring is floating.

Address: Strausberger Platz center island

Karl Marx Bust

The southeastern edge of Strausberger Platz has been adorned since 1983 by a bronze Karl Marx bust about one meter tall.

Address: Strausberger Platz

Workers' Palaces and GDR Architecture of Karl-Marx-Allee

As part of the National Reconstruction Program, a boulevard was to be built as a showpiece of the capital. The plan was to create a prestigious avenue with magnificent "workers' palaces". The buildings were to be a symbol of the GDR's strength and engineering skills. From my point of view this was completely successful, the buildings are great examples of GDR architecture in Berlin.

The boulevard is wider than average over a length of two kilometers. This provided enough space for parades and marches. The street is lined with five large-scale workers' palaces with up to 13 floors.

The architectural style is based on Socialist Classicism as well as Berlin Classicism. Thus, antique forms can be found in many places, such as Doric or Ionic columns or ornamental gables with friezes. The tower buildings at Strausberger Platz and Frankfurter Tor are the architectural highlights of Karl-Marx-Allee and are reminiscent of a city gate.

The western end of the square is formed by the two 14-story high-rise buildings "Haus des Kindes" (House of Children) and "Haus Berlin". At the time, Haus des Kindes housed apartments, a puppet theater, a kindergarten, a children's department store and a children's café. Haus Berlin housed restaurants, cafés and also a bar on the lower and upper floors.

Name salad
The new boulevard was renamed Stalinallee to celebrate Stalin's 70th birthday on December 21, 1949. After Stalin's death, it was given the name Karl-Marx-Alleein the course of de-Stalinization on November 13, 1961. The section of Stalinallee to the east of the Frankfurter Tor was renamed Frankfurter Allee.

Address: Karl-Marx-Allee

Cinema Kosmos

The large-capacity Kosmos cinema was opened on October 5, 1962. It was the largest cinema in the GDR with 1001 seats and was used as a premiere cinema. After the German reunification, the cinema was finally taken over by UFA and converted into a multiplex cinema with 3400 seats in 1996. In 2005, however, cinema operations were discontinued. Since March 2006, Kosmos has been used for conferences, evening events, special cinema screenings and as a theater.

While the surrounding buildings of the Karl-Marx-Alle are built in the "Zuckerbäcker" style, the Kosmos cinema with its smooth facade and curved surfaces resembles more the congress hall built at the same time in West Berlin. The façade of the foyer with its colorful stones made of glazed ceramics is particularly striking.

Address: Karl-Marx-Allee 131A

Café Sybille

Café Sibylle opened in 1953 under the name Milchtrinkhalle and was renamed Milchbar a short time later. In the 1960s, the Milchbar was renamed again to Café Sybille. The name was taken from the women's magazine Sybille, which was popular in the GDR at the time. The café developed into a showpiece and popular meeting place. But when the fall of the Berlin Wall came, it was closed, like so many other establishments.

In the early 2000s, Café Sybille reopened under the same name. It is still much more than just a café, however. For it also houses an exhibition about the history of the former Stalin and later Karl Marx Allee.

Also on display are numerous everyday objects from the GDR of the 1950s and 1960s, as well as an ear and a piece of beard from the Stalin monument that stood on Stalinallee in the 1960s.

Address: Karl-Marx-Allee 72

Paulick Candelabra

Architect Richard Paulick designed the two- and four-armed Paulick candelabras especially for Stalinallee in the early 1950s. A total of 215 Paulick candelabras adorn today's Karl-Marx-Allee. Due to severe damage caused by corrosion of the steel reinforcements and concrete spalling, the candelabras were replaced by replicas of the same shape in 2008 and 2009.

Book Recommendations for GDR Architecture

Want to know even more about GDR architecture and discover new photo locations in Berlin and the former GDR? Then I have a lot of inspiration for trips and photo tours for you. You can order the books easily at Amazon by clicking on the pictures. If you buy a book or another article via an affiliate link, I get a small commission and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you.

Did you like the photo tour DDR architecture in Berlin? Do you have any questions or suggestions about my article? If yes, then write me a comment!

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More Architecture Articles to read

You want to discover more architectural gems? How about a Photo Tour in "Elektropolis" - Industrial Architecture in Berlin Schöneweide or a Journey through Time to the socialist planned city of Eisenhüttenstadt??

Der Beitrag DDR Architektur in Berlin: Fototour vom Alexanderplatz zum Frankfurter Tor erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

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Highlights of the Photo Tour of Industrial Architecture in Berlin Schöneweide

• Brick romanticism and "Oberschöneweider Klinker" in neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance style
• Morbid charm of the vacant buildings
• Large window fronts and steep views
• Many details, old signs, writings, doors and reliefs
• Crane runway and crane house

Route to the Industrial Architecture in Berlin Oberschöneweide

Getting there

The best way to get there is to take the S-Bahn to Schöneweide. The station building is already a nice introduction to the photowalk, because it is also built of bricks and currently also exudes a slightly morbid charm (construction work is being carried out).

At the end of the tour, you can take the streetcar line 60 or 67 in Wilhelminenhofstraße and be back at the Schöneweide S-Bahn station in a few minutes.

Here you can jump directly to the individual industrial sites:

#1 Bärenquell Brewery
#2 Treskow Bridge
#3 Spreehöfe
#4 Rathenau Halls
#5 Reinbeckhallen and Industrial Salon
#6 Oberspree Power Station and Transformer Station
#7 Oberspree Cable Plant (KWO) and University Campus
#8 Crane Runway and Crane Cafe
#9 Peter Behres Building
#10 Batteries and Accumulators Factory

When is the best Time for a Photo Tour?

A Sunday is the best time for a tour of Berlin's industrial architecture. That's when there's the least traffic and you have peace and quiet for a relaxed search for motifs. The tour is interesting after an extensive rain, because then the buildings are reflected in the water surfaces. In addition, a rather soft light with cloudy sky is suitable for the old brick buildings. This gives your photos a "moody look". When I was on the street, however, the sun came through and the sky was blue. I therefore helped a bit in the later post-processing of the photos and desaturated the blue. So the buildings come much better into their own.

Brief History of the Industrial Location Berlin Schöneweide

At the end of the 19th century, Berlin-Oberschöneweide became one of the most important urban factory districts in Germany. Under the leadership of the Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft (AEG), Europe's first three-phase power plant, a modern cable factory and other electrical and automotive industry plants opened here. The waterfront location on the banks of the Spree, the proximity to the railroad, and the resident three-phase power plant made the area a perfect location. In addition, there was something here that was no longer available in the Berlin city center: space. Factories and production halls line up along the banks of the Spree River for about three kilometers like a string of pearls. The architects Peter Behrens, Osmar Klemm and Ernst Ziesel created a uniform-looking factory town here from the yellow Oberschöneweide clinker. "Elektropolis" was born.

Most of the factory buildings survived the two world wars unscathed. In GDR times, production continued here in Volkseigene Betriebe (VEB). With about 30,000 employees, Oberschöneweide was an important center of the energy industry at that time. With the fall of the Berlin Wall, however, most of the jobs were lost and the cathedrals of labor lost their significance. Today, some of the buildings are still empty. Of the long-established companies, only the Kabelwerk still produces in part of the halls originally used, as well as BAE Batterien GmbH. They are joined by a number of start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises as well as artists and creative people. Since 2009, parts of the old cable factory have been used by the Berlin University of Applied Sciences. For other factory halls, such as the Rathenau Hallen, development for a new use is also planned in the near future.

Tip: However, the history of Berlin's industrial companies also has its dark sides. The Documentation Center for Nazi Forced Labor in Niederschöneweide is a reminder of these. Address: Britzer Strasse 5.

#1 Bärenquell Brewery

The first stop on the photo tour of industrial architecture in Berlin Schöneweide is the former Bärenquell Brewery. Beer was brewed here as early as 1882 at the Borussia Brewery. In 1898, the Borussia brewery was then bought by Schultheiss-Brauerei AG. During the GDR era, the six East Berlin breweries continued to operate as VEB Berliner Brauereien from 1959. The former Borussia brewery was then given the new name Bärenquell-Brauerei. After reunification, the Treuhand took over the company in 1990 and privatized it. Production continued for another four years and finally ceased on April 1, 1994. Since its closure, the site has changed hands several times. So far, there are no concrete plans for a new use and development. Instead, vandalism, theft and decay characterize the historic buildings.

The oldest buildings on the brewery grounds are the officials' residence (1882) and the administration building (1888). Both date back to the time of the Borussia brewery. Most of the other buildings were only erected between 1901 and 1928. The newest building is the New Brewhouse from 1969. All buildings are made of red brick, but in different architectural styles. One can find elements of Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Gothic with castle-like construction, Expressionism as well as Modernism. The old brewery has been a listed building since the 1980s.

Unfortunately, the area is not accessible, fenced with barbed wire and also video monitored. But there are some nice photo opportunities from the outside as well.

Address: Schnellerstraße 136 - 137

#2 Treskow Bridge

The Treskow Bridge is not an industrial building in itself, but you have a good view of the Spreehöfe and the Rathenau Hallen. Here you can live out your creativity and discover many interesting perspectives (see cover picture).

The first Treskow Bridge was opened in 1904. But already a few years later the bridge was no longer able to cope with the increasing traffic in the new industrial area Oberschöneweide. It was therefore replaced by a wider new bridge in 1934. Before the invasion of the Soviet troops, the German army finally blew up the Treskow Bridge and the neighboring Kaisersteg. It was not until 1954 that the sunken bridge parts were recovered from the Spree, processed and used for the construction of a new bridge.

#3 Spreehöfe / Lamp Factory

The industrial monument Spreehöfe combines the buildings of the old lamp factory R. Frister and the former gasworks.

The lamp factory was built from 1897 to 1900 and structurally expanded until 1920. However, in 1934 the lamp factory had to stop its production. Since then, the buildings have been used by a number of other companies, such as Metals Processing Schöneweide, the Society for Aviation Supplies, the VEB RFT Funkwerk Köpenick and, most recently, the Institute for Communications Engineering.

In 1898, the Oberspree gas works was built on the land next to the lamp factory. For a time there was even a telescopic gas tank of the Gasag here. In 1909 and 1937, the land became partly the property of Allgemeine Deutsche Metallwerke Oberschöneweide (ADMOS) and was completely taken over by ADMOS in 1998. In addition to the gasworks, which was located here until 1993, various other factories also used the site on the banks of the Spree.

After the reunification of Germany, the Spreehöfe industrial park was created here after numerous conversions under the new owner ADMOS Immobilien. The courtyards comprise 32 buildings, some of which are listed as historic monuments.

Address: 63 Edisonstrasse at the corner of 87-90 Wilhelminenhofstrasse.

#4 Rathenau Hallen - the Entrance to Elektropolis

Together with the lamp factory, the Rathenau Halls form the entrance portal to "Elektropolis". Here you can also see one of the most striking buildings: the large transformer hall with the big red AEG letters on the gable. With a span of 35 m and a height of 22 m, the factory halls were once among the largest in Berlin.

There are endless photo motifs on the extensive property. In addition to the facades made of the yellow "Oberschöneweider Klinker" and glass fronts, it is the many small details that want to be discovered. Doors, windows, rusty grilles, lamps, switches, fire escapes as well as signs and inscriptions are great motifs.

As early as 1899, the tool and machine factory German Niles-Werke AG was established here on the banks of the Spree. In the 1920s, AEG bought the site and moved the transformer factory from Berlin's Wedding district to Oberschöneweide. Already in the same year, construction of the large transformer hall began according to plans by the architect Ernst Ziesel. Until the 1940s, AEG constructed numerous other buildings here, creating around 4,000 jobs. During World War II, searchlights and ammunition casings were manufactured here. About a third of the workers were forced laborers at the time. After the war, operations were then resumed as VEB Transformatorenwerk. Until reunification, 4,000 employees were employed here, producing transformers, high-voltage switches and fuses. After reunification, AEG leased the site. However, due to declining orders, the plant had to close in 1996.

The factory buildings are still rented out to artists, crafts businesses and retailers for interim use. But in 2019, the heritage-protected halls were purchased by Basecamp. The plan is now to develop them into a cultural and office location with accommodation, co-working, gastronomy and more. Work is expected to begin as early as 2021 and be completed in 2025.

Address: Wilhelminenhofstrasse 83

#5 Reinbeckhallen and Oberschöneweide Industrial Salon

From the Rathenau Halls, the tour continues to the neighboring Reinbeck Halls. The former AEG halls are now an art and cultural center with an exhibition hall, event hall, project space, and a woodworking and printing workshop. Artists and creative people have moved into studios on the site. In addition to an informative exhibition on industrial architecture in Berlin, the Industriesalon Schöneweide also offers guided tours of Oberschöneweide. At Café Schöneweile you can also enjoy drinks and snacks, either on site or directly on the banks of the Spree. From there you have the best view of the Kaisersteg, the halls of the Kabelwerk and the former Oberspree power plant.

Industrial Salon Schöneweide
Elektropolis Tour Fri. 14:00, Sun. 12:00
www.industriesalon.de/fuehrungen

#6 Oberspree Power Station and Transformer Station

The Oberspree Power Station was commissioned in 1897 as the first three-phase power station in Germany. Due to a higher current voltage, the electricity generated here could be efficiently transported over longer distances. This enabled AEG to bring electricity to households in Berlin as well as to the surrounding suburbs on a large scale. The power plant was a technical milestone at the time and also significantly promoted the development of the industrial location. The rapidly growing demand soon led to the expansion of the power plant.

The power plant was decommissioned in 1933 and the halls continued to be used by Kabelwerke Oberspree. The buildings, which like the neighboring industrial buildings are constructed of yellow clinker bricks, are now listed as historic monuments.

#7 Oberspree Cable Plant (KWO) and University Campus

Right next to the three-phase power plant, the Kabelwerk Oberspree (KWO) was opened in 1897. Here, cables, overseas lines as well as wires and insulation were manufactured. It was possible to dispense with the operation of steam power plants in the cable plant, because next door there was enough electricity for the use of new types of electric motors. At the time, the Oberspree cable plant was the most modern factory in Europe.But the factory was not only a highlight in technical terms. The yellow brick ensemble in neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance stylewas also visually impressive. Today, the still preserved administrative and production buildings are listed as one of the most important ensembles of German industrial history.

Due to the good order situation, the factory premises were expanded by 62,000 m² in 1913 and new production halls were built. At the same time, the number of employees had risen to around 8,000 workers.

Fortunately, only parts of the cable plant were destroyed during the Second World War and production was subsequently resumed. In 1952, the plant became a state-owned enterprise (VEB) and was henceforth called VEB Kabelwerk Oberspree. After German reunification in 1990, the Treuhand took over the cable plant, followed two years later by a British company. But the demand was not sufficient and in 1995 cable production in Oberschöneweide ended. Today, cables are only produced in a small part of the factory. The largest part of the former factory, on the other hand, is used as a campus by the Berlin University of Applied Sciences.

Tip: Audio guides can be rented at the info point of the Wilhelminenhof campus, which present the grounds on a tour lasting about one hour. The MP3 files as well as the transcripts are also available for download here auch als Download.

Address: Wilhelminenhofstrasse 75 A

#8 Crane Runway and Crane House

Two special highlights of the Oberspree cable plant are the crane runway and the crane house on the banks of the Spree.

The old crane runway runs vertically between Wilhelminenhofstraße and the square at the Kaisersteg. Where the crane railroad ends at Wilhelminenhofstraße, the crane hook and the driver's cabin offer interesting motifs. The crane bar invites you next to the promenade under the old crane railroad for coffee, breakfast as well as snacks and cakes.

An equally interesting motif and cozy place to linger is the Crane House Café on the shore. Here you can find coffee specialties, cakes as well as delicious food in a cozy industrial style.

Addresses: Kranbar Wilhelminenhofstraße 80; Kranhauscafe Paul-Tropp-Straße 11

#9 Peter Behrens Building

The Peter Behrens Building was completed during World War I in 1917 after only two years of construction. The architect Peter Behrens set new standards with his modern multi-storey factory. For here, the separation of production, administration and public life was eliminated. Today, the building is considered a "monument to modern 20th century industrial culture in Berlin" and is therefore a listed building.

In 1901, the industrialist and founder of AEG, Emil Rathenau, founded the Neue Automobil-Gesellschaft AG (NAG). Not only cars and trucks were manufactured here, but also sports and luxury cars and the Berlin double-decker. During World War I, however, production was switched to war-related goods and the company was renamed the Nationale Automobil-Gesellschaft. In 1917, NAG finally moved into the new factory. The vehicles were produced here from top to bottom on the floors of the modern multi-storey factory. A total of 18 elevators with a load capacity of up to 6,000 kg were in use.

After automobile production ceased in 1934, the AEG subsidiary Telefunken moved in and produced radio tubes. During the GDR era, the Oberspreewerk manufactured television electronics here. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Samsung initially bought the building. Later, the next owner leased the space to various smaller businesses. In May 2019, Deutsche Immobilien Entwicklungs AG (DIE AG) finally purchased the site and plans to develop it.

Did you know? The Peter Behrens Building was a film location in the series Babylon Berlin.

The square tower is reminiscent of a town hall tower, which is why some call the building the "Town Hall of Oberschöneweide." Inside the tower, you enter a light-flooded staircase hall encircled by four-story arcades and surrounding galleries.

Tip: The Schöneweide industrial salon offers guided tours. This includes climbing the 70-meter-high tower with panoramic terrace, tower café and breathtaking views.

Address: Ostendstrasse 1-4

#10 Batteries and Accumulators Factory

In 1899, the Gesellschaft für elektrische Unternehmungen built the first factory buildings for the Akkumulatorenwerke Oberspree AG. Here, portable lead accumulators and batteries were produced on behalf of AEG.

Aktiengesellschaft (AFA) took over the factory and produced, among other things, vehicles with electric drives and charging stations. During the GDR period and also after German reunification, production continued at the plant, but now under the name BAE GmbH. Today, BAE Batterien GmbH still produces batteries and accumulators. And not only at the site in Oberschöneweide but in over 80 countries.

Part of the accumulator plant from the first construction phase in the 1890s is even still preserved and can be visited from the outside. This includes the administration building and the main entrance to the factory premises, as well as a single hall. Here you can discover beautiful details, such as an old clock, tracks, old inscriptions or even rusty rollers of a sliding gate. In Ostendstraße, you can also see a 125-meter-long, single-story factory building made of clinker bricks from the 1920s. Other preserved structures are administrative and social buildings, which were built only at the time of the German division.

Address: Wilhelminenhofstrasse 68 and 69 to Ostendstrasse 30-33.

Book Recommendations for more Industrial Architecture in Berlin and Germany

You want to know even more about industrial architecture in Berlin and all over Germany and discover new photo locations? Then I have a lot of inspiration for trips and photo tours in Berlin for you. You can order the books easily at Amazon by clicking on the pictures. If you buy a book or another article via an affiliate link, I get a small commission and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you.

Did you like the photo tour through the industrial architecture in Berlin Schöneweide? Do you have any questions or suggestions regarding my article? If yes, then write me a comment!

Do you want to know when there are new articles on my blog? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends.

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More Berlin articles to read on

You want to discover more of Berlin? How about Berlin's Lost Places or a trip to the Graffiti-Hochhäusern im Art Park Berlin-Tegel?

Der Beitrag Fototour in “Elektropolis” – Industriearchitektur in Berlin Schöneweide erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

Berlin. You want to discover the street art of Berlin on your own? Walk through the city at your own pace? Then you are right here. Because I have compiled for you a street art map for Berlin Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. You will see a total of 32 murals on a route of about 14 kilometers. Some of them belong to the most famous of all Berlin, such as the Astronaut / Cosmonaut by Victor Ash or The Pink Man by the artist BLU.

Unassigned, unpaid advertising. The article contains affiliate links.

Street Art Map for Berlin Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg with 32 Murals

Length of the tour: about 14 kilometers
Duration: on foot about 4-5 hours
Start: Ostkreuz S-Bahn station
End: Underground station Gleisdreieck

Practical: In the Street Art Map you can see not only where the mural is located in Berlin. You can also see a small preview image and the exact address by clicking on it with the mouse. The tour starts on the far right. The tour ends at the bottom left.

Tip: The street art tour with the map through Berlin Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg can be perfectly combined with a visit to the RAW area and / or the East Side Gallery. And if you want to see more street art, you can continue from the end point at the subway station Gleisdreieck to the URBAN NATION Museum in Schöneberg.

Take a look from time to time. Because there are always new murals in Berlin, which I will then add to my street art map and here on the blog. Have fun with your tour, browsing and discovering.

Michelle Tombolini: Butterfly

The first mural in my Street Art Map Berlin is by Michelle Tombolini. The Venetian has pasted a butterfly child with big light blue wings as a paste-up on the wall. The girl's mouth is closed with a black cross. In a state of no self-expression, it triggers strong emotions in the viewer. The mural should be seen as a memorial against child pornography and human trafficking.

Butterfly is part of Tombolini's Indelible Marks project, which is dedicated to abused children. In his project, he combines art and technology to create a work of art that is both physical and virtual. On the sign at the bottom right there is also a reference to the free app "EXPERENTI". This allows you to interact directly with the artwork and the artist, the artwork transforms and there are also video messages on the subject. I haven't tried the app myself, so I can't tell you more at this point.

The silent cry of the butterfly girl is meant to challenge the indifference of adults. Child abuse calls for strong prevention and everyone should therefore feel responsible. The Italian branch of the international network ECPACT International has been working with Tombini since 2014. ECPACT works to protect children from exploitation.

Address: Krossener Strasse 36

Community Project – unknown Artist

The building in Kreutzigerstraße is one of the most colorful I have seen during my street art tour. It was created as a community project by the people who live here. That is, the pictures are not painted by a famous artist at all, but by the residents themselves.

Address: Kreutzigerstraße 19

Hall of Fame at the cinema Intimes

Small but nice. This applies both to the "Intimes" neighborhood cinema and to the Hall of Fame on the façade in Niederbarnimstraße. The artists use paste-ups, stickers and stencils to spread their political and socially critical messages. Some of them are very up-to-date, such as a red heart with a gold-colored mouth guard or a Corona Virus to cuddle with.

Address: Boxhagener Str. 107 / corner Niederbarnimstraße

By the way: The small cinema, founded in 1909, is the oldest continuously screened cinema in Berlin. It presents arthouse films and documentaries. The cinema was rebuilt in 2019/20 and reopened under a new operator after the lockdown in spring 2021.

Arsek Erase, HRVB the Weird: The Berlin Bomber

Since the beginning of 2000, Arsek and Erase have been on the road as a graffiti artist duo. Their works are mostly illustrative and surreal in nature. Typical for their murals are bright colors, fun as well as comic-like scenes influenced by nature and their surroundings. The Bulgarian artists realized "The Berlin Bomber" during the Berlin Mural Fest 2018. The bear riding on a yellow Berlin subway was additionally tattooed on the arm by the artist HRVB the Weird at the end.

Address: Warschauer Strasse 9

MTO: There's No Such Thing As Bad Publicity

The French artist Mateo Lepeintre aka MTO thematizes with his mural the use of street art for commercial purposes. But first a story: until 2015 there was a very famous mural on the Cuvry wasteland in Kreuzberg. It was three huge white figures with masks and golden watch handcuffs. Maybe you still know it. Painted by the famous Italian artist BLU in 2007, the mural was an extremely popular photo motif as well as a landmark of the embattled Cuvry wasteland. Because from 2015 apartments were to be built here. It is said that BLU had his work painted over with black paint. He wanted to make sure the system couldn't use his mural to sell apartments.

When MTO got its wall during the 2018 Mural Fest, a large scoreboard was already in place here. It's almost hard to tell, but the lowest of the yellow-framed panels is "real" and even lit with two lamps. He finally took this opportunity to denounce the use of street art murals for commercial purposes. It is well known that large-scale murals are attracting increasing interest from city councils and investors. That's because city- or brand-sponsored facade murals make lower-cost residential areas more attractive. Rents go up, street art tourists come, galleries open, and so on. MTO refuses this process and wants to fight against it. For this he shows openly political and contextual content in his murals.

Address: Warschauer Str. 58

One Truth: Swiss Knife

One Truth brothers Pase and Dr. Drax have painted a huge 25-meter-high wall near the East Side Gallery. The mural shows a large Swiss Army Knife with its feet covered in graffiti by local artists. One Truth plays on the stereotype of Switzerland in his painting.

Address: Revaler Street 1

Alice Pasquini: Suspended

The mural "Suspended" is located in a backyard opposite the East Side Gallery. Italian artist Alice Pasquini painted six portraits of a young woman here in six days. Her style - the watercolor technique - is unmistakable. Also typical of Pasqiuni is that her art focuses on depicting people and relationships. Her six portraits show the same young woman in six different poses, each with a different facial expression. Her mural is meant to show the strength and independence of women.

Address: Warschauer Strasse 47

BLU: The Pink Man

You can already see the artwork of BLU from the Oberbaumbrücke. It shows a pink human figure with big white eyes. On closer inspection, you will see that this figure consists of hundreds of small people. These cling to each other in fear and finally form an indefinable mass. Only one person is highlighted as an individual. He is stuck between the fingers of the monster and is probably about to be eaten by it. The artist BLU thematizes fascism with his mural.

Address: Falckensteinstraße 49

Fin Dac: Engeika

"Engeika" is the first mural by street art icon Fin Dac in Berlin. It is a beautiful example of how art can be integrated into a building - and vice versa. Because at first glance you can't see what is painted and what is part of the building. Fin Dac has perfectly integrated the two balconies into his painting. The geisha dressed in a red kimono leans against the lower balcony as if it were a small table. The mural in the Berlin backyard is part of Fin Dac's series "Hidden Beauty".

Address: Köpenicker Street 9

BLU: tear down this wall

The wall of banknotes is one of few murals of the artist BLU, which have survived to this day. Like each of his works, this one carries a profound message to the viewer's eyes. The artwork shows on the left side a gray wall that falls to the ground piece by piece. But after it was already on the ground, a new wall is created - only this time from green 100 euro bills. The mural stands for Berlin. And it raises the question of what actually happened after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Address: Köpenicker Street 10 A

Os Gêmeos: Yellow Man

The mural "Yellow Man" by the Brazilian artist duo Os Gêmeos was created in 2007 as part of the graffiti festival Backjumps. The motto was "Turn the city into a magazine". The twins are among the most internationally known representatives in the street art scene. But despite their notoriety and high-paying commissions, their works are examples of socially critical street art, often with references to indigenous people. To the left of Yellow Man, the Berlin Kidz have also left their mark. The filigree, arabesque-looking tags are frequently seen in the Berlin cityscape. They are always in red, blue and black and stretch up the walls of the buildings like a sky ladder.

Address: Oppelner Strasse 3

Roa: Nature Morte

Admittedly, the mural does look a bit morbid: here a hare, a stork and a deer hang upside down on ropes from the roof. Among the hanging animals also lie a dead bull and a wild boar with severed head. The dead, injured or dismembered animals are a trademark of Belgian artist Roa. They are always sprayed in black and white and therefore have a high recognition value. You can see another of his paintings at Schönhauser Allee 116 in Prenzlauer-Berg.

Address: Oranienstrasse 2

Victor Ash: Astronaut/Cosmonaut

The mural in black and white stencil style shows a spaceman floating above the city or other graffiti. The Portuguese artist Victor Ash was inspired by the East-West conflict between the USA and the Soviet Union. For both states tried to be ahead in armament and space travel. However, Ash's spaceman is faceless and has no obvious nationality. Therefore, the mural also bears both the American and Russian designations for a spaceman in its title: "Astronaut/Cosmonaut." When Victor Ash created the mural in 2007 as part of the Backjump Festival, it was the largest stencil in the world, measuring 22 meters by 14 meters. And even today it is among the largest of its kind.

Address: Oranienstrasse 195

Millo: My Head is a Jungle

The Italian artist Millo has created a fire wall in Luckauer Straße as part of the Urban Nation Fest 2018. On display is a monotonous cityscape with skyscrapers and airplanes. But in the middle, a woman sits on a hairdresser's chair and has her hair washed. In the process, exotic animals fall out of her hair and the wash water slowly floods the city. Millo is known for his black and white line drawings, in which childlike figures, however, form a colorful contrast. His paintings represent childlike joy and playfulness.

Address: Luckauer Street 12

Herakut: My home might be no palace, but we can share it if you like

The Italian artist Millo has created a fire wall in Luckauer Straße as part of the Urban Nation Fest 2018. On display is a monotonous cityscape with skyscrapers and airplanes. But in the middle, a woman sits on a hairdresser's chair and has her hair washed. In the process, exotic animals fall out of her hair and the wash water slowly floods the city. Millo is known for his black and white line drawings, in which childlike figures, however, form a colorful contrast. His paintings represent childlike joy and playfulness.

Address: Luckauer Street 12

Guided Street Art Tours in Berlin

You don't feel like wandering the streets on your own and would rather join a guided street art tour in Berlin? Nothing could be easier. If you book a tour via the following affiliate links, you will support Fernweh-Motive with a small commission. The tour will not be more expensive for you. Merci!

Cryptik: Graphics

Just around the corner, on Bergfried Street, Southern California artist Cryptik created a graphic mural using the stencil technique. His works are an expression of spirituality and consciousness. Thus, this mural also features mandala-like patterns as representations of deities and spiritual guides. For Cryptik, his art is spiritual in nature. His "Mantradalas" are to be used for meditation, contemplation and also for trance. So it is about new perspectives, pausing in everyday life as well as positive karma.

Address: Bergfriedstraße 20

Emily Eldridge: The Thread that tied us together

The colorful mural was painted on April 8, 2020 - when just the lockdown because of the Corona virus has paralyzed Berlin. It is probably the newest artwork in my street art map and is titled "The red thread that holds us together". But what exactly is it that holds us together? The artist explored this question: For Emily, it is the city, the neighborhood as well as the home that binds us together. All those who live here ultimately make Berlin what it is. No matter where the individual comes from.

Address: Wassertorstraße 64

Bosoletti, Young Jarus: Daphne and Apollo

Argentine artist Francisco Bosoletti and Canadian artist Young Jarus have painted a joint mural here for Urban Nation 2018 under the motto "United". And it sets standards! Because it covers an area of 45 x 15 meters and shows the tragic love story of Daphne and Apollo. And it goes like this: Apollo has angered Eros. As a result, he shoots two arrows, one golden at Apollo and one made of lead at Daphne. With the effect that Apollo falls madly in love with Daphnie, but Daphnie feels rather the opposite. To escape Apollo, Daphne finally allows herself to be transformed into a laurel bush. As an expression of his grief over unrequited love, Apollo has worn a laurel wreath on his head ever since.

Address: Gitschiner Str. 65

Berlin Kidz - various graffiti

They are crazy, fearless and brazen. Nobody knows who they are, but their graffiti is unmistakable: filigree, arabesque-looking characters in the colors red, blue and black. There are also always little messages hidden between the tags. Their graffiti spans the facades of the highest buildings and the most inaccessible places. From the very top to the very bottom. To do this, the Berlin Kidz abseil down building roofs in spectacular actions and film themselves doing it. Tip: You can see many of their videos on You Tube.

The style of the Berlin Kidz is influenced by the beginnings of US-American graffiti. Because in the past, graffiti spraying was also considered a kind of extreme sport, was political and rebellious. Without a lot of frills around it. Their graffiti is a fight for freedom, against gentrification and surveillance. Their goal? "Fuck the system." At least that's the title of the film Thomas von Wittich made about the Berlin Kidz. You can also watch it in full length on You Tube. Here you can see the video.

You can also see more graffiti of the Berlin Kidz on the following murals: BLU: tear down this wall; Os Gêmeos: Yellow Man; Roa: Nature Morte; Victor Ash: Astronaut/Cosmonaut

Axel Void: Man is a Wolf to Man

At first, you only see the bright white lettering on the dark background. But at second glance, you recognize structures in the black surface. Then, at the third glance, the structure becomes a human being. However, only his head, his upper body bent forward and his right hand, with which he holds something, can be seen. Above this is the Latin sentence: "Homo Homini Lupus", translated "Man is a wolf to man" from the comedy "Eseleien" by the Roman poet Titus Maccius Plautus. The English philosopher Hobbes later used this phrase in his philosophical work "Leviathan." He used it to describe the human quest for power and the phrase subsequently became famous.

Address: Bergfried Street 11

Do you want to discover the street art scene in Berlin together with like-minded people on a guided tour? Then I can recommend this three-hour Street Art Tour* or the half-day Tour through the Alternative Berlin* . Both tours are in English. Do you love lost places as much as street art? Then the Tour to the former Listening Station at Teufelsberg* (in German) is made for you.

Jadore Tong: No Comment

The mural by Jadore Tong shows the three (partly former) heads of state Barack Obama, Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin. They hold their hands in front of their eyes, ears or mouths. With this, the artist alludes to the well-known Buddhist wisdom: "See nothing (evil), hear nothing (evil), say nothing (evil)."

Address: Knight Street 12

Shepard Fairey: Make Art Not War

The mural "Make Art Not War" was created in 2014 as part of Urban Nation's "One Wall" project. Above the mural is the slogan "Make Art Not War", which is an allusion to "Make Love Not War". The latter slogan stood in the 1960s as a protest against the Cold War and the Vietnam War. Also, in the center of the painting is a rose. The stem first has rose thorns, but further down the thorns have turned into spikes of a barbed wire fence. Around the stem closes a handcuff with the inscription "Rise Above". To the left and right of the handcuff is "Eyes Open" and "Mind Open." The mural thus sends a message of peace and asks viewers to be open, tolerant as well as respectful. The handcuffed rose can be interpreted as a symbol that it is possible to rise above societal constraints.

Address: Mehringplatz 28

Don John: Hoodie

As part of Urban Nation's "One Wall" project, a mural by Danish street artist Don John was created on a house wall at Mehringplatz in 2014. The mural shows on the right side a torso in a black hoodie with his hands buried in his pockets. A head, however, does not appear to be present. A flock of colorful birds pours out of the empty hood. They fly away over the rest of the wall. Later, someone threw red paint bags at the birds, making it look as if they had been shot. However, Don John's original version had a different, friendlier character.

Address: Mehringplatz 12

Pichi Avo: Janus

This mural by Pichi Avo was also created during the second Berlin Mural Fest in 2019. The French artist is known for urban mythology. Namely, in his murals he combines street art and Greek and Roman mythology. This mural in Friedrichstraße depicts the Roman two-faced god Janus, the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time as well as duality. And what makes the painting so special is that Janus is covered in graffiti from top to bottom.

Address: Friedrichstraße 7

Mr. Aryz: Wrestlers

Spanish artist Mr. Aryz is known for his large-scale murals. He painted this mural with the fighting wrestlers during the second Berlin Mural Fest in 2019. He often paints dynamic scenes in bold colors, leaving the brushwork largely visible. He also filled the free areas with clearly visible brushstrokes. In his painting, the struggling people are representative of our society.

Address: Friedrichstraße 7

Jadore Tong: Peace Unity Love Wisdom

Next to the streetball court in Theodor-Wolff-Park an elephant plays with a balloon. He almost looks like he wants to play ball with the kids. However, the colorful elephant not only brings color to the gray wall. He also brings a message: "Peace - Unity - Love - Wisdom" is written at the bottom of the artwork. That makes it even more meaningful. Beautiful, isn't it?

The huge painting is certainly one of the most photographed murals in Berlin. It was realized in 2016 by Jadore Tong aka S.Y.R.U.S. (Save Your Rich Intouchable Soul) as a privately organized project. It took a whole 4 weeks to complete the 750 square meter painting. It covers the entire back of a typical Berlin old building with six floors. First, the outlines were painted with a paint roller and spray cans, which were then filled with wall paint. In the end, the details were finally applied with spray cans.

Address: Franz-Klühs-Straße / corner building Wilhelmstraße 7

Book Recommendations for Street Art Fans

You like to browse through illustrated books for new murals or artists you don't know yet? You love to discover the street art scene of other cities? Then I can recommend these books. Click on the picture to get to Amazon, where you can order the books. If you buy something through one of these affiliate links, I get a small commission and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you.

Jadore Tong: Mountain Ama Dablam

The sight gives one wanderlust. Especially as long as the borders are still closed because of the Corona Pandemic. The mural shows the mountain Ama Dablam in the Himalayan mountains in eastern Nepal. The main peak is 6,812 meters high, the lower west peak is 6,170 meters high. Ama Dablam means "necklace of the mother".

Address: Franz-Klühs-Straße / corner building Wilhelmstraße 7

Various artists: Tommy-Weisbecker-Haus

In 1971, the Thommy Weisbecker Haus was the first successful squat in West Berlin. In the early 1980s, it was finally recognized as a youth housing community. Today, it offers around 40 teenagers and young adults the opportunity for self-determined living and working. With its numerous projects and solo events, it is also an important meeting place for the left-wing youth scene. It is named after the anarchist Tommy Weisbecker, who was shot by the police in the 1970s.

The artist and former social worker Andreas Dornbusch was in charge of the facade paintings. Completed in 1989, the paintings are thoroughly political and also reminiscent of left-wing protest slogans and symbols. They take up the themes of war, nuclear power, capitalism, the dumbing down of people by the mass media, and liberation through a return to nature. The left side of the house is also open to various graffiti artists today as a Hall of Fame.

Address: Wilhelmstraße 9

James Bullough, Telmo Miel: unified

Berlin-based artist James Bullough and Dutch artist duo TelmoMiel completed their mural "unified" in May 2018 as part of Urban Nation's "One Wall" project. It shows one person, but composed of body parts of different people of different nationalities. James Bullough is known for large-scale works with strong contrasts. In this artwork, he combines realistic portraiture and stylized distortions.

Address: Bernburger Str. 35

CBS Crew and Kripoe: Yellow Fists

The CBS Crew (CBS stands for Cowboys) and the artist Kripoe have distributed their Yellow Fists in Berlin between 1995 and 2005. And they did so in the most impossible and inaccessible places in the city. Their bright yellow fists stand as a symbol of anarchy and rebellion. Even though the last of them were created in 2005, many of them are still well preserved.

Address: At the elevated railroad at Tempelhofer Ufer / corner of Anhalter Steg.

Interbrigadas e.V.: Revolt of the Colors

Now you have arrived at the last mural of my street art map. It was created as part of the project "Uprising of Colors" by Interbrigadas e.V. in the summer of 2009 and is one of the largest murals in Berlin. It measures 600 square meters and is located on the side of the Mercure Hotel in Berlin Mitte. A total of eight artists from South America and Berlin were involved. The picture is therefore also a colorful mix of motifs and connects the different cultures. You can see figures of different origins, for example Karl Marx or a sexy Indian woman. Her arm turns into a branch holding a spray can in her hand. Besides the jungle and exotic animals, a city with skyscrapers is also growing. On the other side there are charming little houses and a bodega. And of course, the Berlin TV tower can't be missing either. Finally, hovering above it all is a red-and-white striped zeppelin trailing a banner that reads "Interbrigadas."

Address: Luckenwalder Str. 11

Here your street art tour in Berlin continues:

So, here at Gleisdreieck is the last mural in my street art map for Berlin Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. I hope you enjoyed the tour. Do you want to see more Berlin street art? Then continue here to the Graffiti Skyscrapers in Art Park Tegel and to another Street Art Walk in Berlin-Bülowstraße.

Did you like the street art tour with the map through Berlin Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends. Do you have any questions or suggestions? If so, please write me a comment!

Der Beitrag Street Art Guide & Map Berlin Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

An industrial Wasteland becomes a Hotspot for Urban Art

Dilapidated brick buildings, railroad tracks running nowhere and empty factory halls give lost place a romantic come to life. Anyone entering the RAW site in the trendy Friedrichhain neighborhood for the first time will be overwhelmed. It is colorful, anarchic and always new and different. A world of its own. Between ivy-covered walls and broken windows, graffiti, paste-ups and stickers have the RAW site firmly in their grip - urban art wherever you look.It almost seems as if all the paint is holding the ramshackle buildings together in the first place.

The "Urban Spree", a 1,700 square meter hotspot for urban art in Berlin, has been created on the RAW site. Urban Spree organizes exhibitions, workshops and concerts. There is also an art market and a small beer garden for refreshments. Urban Spree also includes the 400 sqm Urban Spree Gallery with independent exhibitions of contemporary urban art. The flagship of Urban Spree is the so-called Artist Wall,a 15-meter long and 8-meter high wall facing Warschauer Straße. Here you can see ever-changing paintings. Please klick on the placeholder to see the pictures:

History of the RAW Site

RAW stands for Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk. It opened in 1867 under the name "Königlich Preußische Eisenbahnwerkstatt Berlin II" and belonged to the Prussian Eastern Railway. After the end of the monarchy in 1918, it was then renamed "Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk". During World War II, almost 80% of the site was destroyed in air raids in 1944. After the end of the war, the plant was finally rebuilt and given the name "Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk (RAW) Franz Stenzer" in 1967. Stenzer was a communist Reichstag deputy and Bavarian railroad worker who was murdered in the Dachau concentration camp. After German reunification, however, there were too many railroad repair shops. Therefore, the workshops on the RAW site were gradually shut down. Between 1995 and 1999, everything finally stood still on the site. But in the summer of 1999, the RAW-Tempel e.V. association began leasing the site and adapting it for interim use. Art, culture, clubs and gastronomy found a place here on the old industrial wasteland where they could realize themselves.

And what's next for the RAW Site?

Since April 1, 2015, the Kurth company has been the owner of the 52,000 square meter site. According to the Kurth company, the future orientation of the site is to tie in with its decades-long function as a central, mixed-use neighborhood. We shall see. As is often the case in Berlin, everything here revolves around one topic: the threat of gentrification of entire city neighborhoods.

How to get there:
Revalerstrasse 99, Friedrichshain
S-/U-Bahn station Warschauer Straße

Tip: The East Side Gallery is not far from the RAW area. You can combine the visit of these two urban art hotspots in Berlin.

Do you want to discover the street art scene in Berlin together with like-minded people on a guided tour? Then I can recommend this three-hour Street Art Tour* or the half-day Tour through the Alternative Berlin* . Both tours are in English. Do you love lost places as much as street art? Then the Tour to the former Listening Station at Teufelsberg* (in German) is made for you.

Book Recommendations for Street Art Fans

You like to browse through illustrated books for new murals or artists you don't know yet? You love to discover the street art scene of other cities? Then I can recommend these books. Click on the picture to get to Amazon, where you can order the books. If you buy something through one of these affiliate links, I get a small commission and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you.

Did you like my article about the urban art at the RAW site? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends. Do you have any questions or suggestions? If so, please write me a comment!

Here you can find more Urban Art

You want to see more street art in Berlin? Then continue here with a visit to Haus Schwarzenberg in Berlin Mitte and to the Graffiti Skyscrapers in Art Park Tegel.

Der Beitrag RAW-Gelände – Urban Art und Lost Place Romantik erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

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Smallest and most popular Street Art Hotspot in Berlin - Haus Schwarzenberg.

The inconspicuous archway, right next to Café Cinema, is easy to miss. And as soon as you've taken three steps into the passageway, you'll only continue at a snail's pace. Because already here in the archway graffiti, paste-ups and stickers fight for your attention. After a few meters, a long courtyard opens up. To the left and right, the walls are painted or pasted up all over. You'll find artwork in all styles and sizes. New ones are added all the time, old ones are painted or pasted over. So the walls show you a different face with every visit. Take your time to explore the smallest and probably most popular street art hotspot in Berlin!

And when you're done with the passage and the inner courtyard, then continue in the legendary staircase of Haus Schwarzenberg: This is the door on the right in the first courtyard. I have never seen so many stickers! After that, there is a second courtyard to discover. This one is just like the first one painted all over with graffiti and co.

Haus Schwarzenberg is more than "just" Street Art

But Haus Schwarzenberg is more than "just" a street art hotspot. It is a unique microcosm in the middle of the "mainstream chic" of the Scheunenviertel at Hackescher Markt. The building, which has been a listed building since 1995, is a place for culture and independent art.It stands as a symbol for freedom, against mainstream and gentrification.And probably exactly because of that it is a tourist magnet and a pilgrimage site for all street art fans.

In the Schwarzenberg House there is the Neurotitan Gallery and Shop.Since 1996, the gallery has been organizing new exhibitions on a monthly basis. Here lovers of street art, illustration, urban art and comics get their money's worth. The Neurotitan Shop offers a wide selection of art, books, curios and gift ideas.

The portrait of Anne Frank by Jimmy C. in his distinctive drop style also invites you to visit the exhibition "All about Anne" in the Anne Frank Center. You can also get to it via the right staircase in the first courtyard.

In the second backyard is the club Eschschloraque Rümschrümp.It is one of the last bastions of Berlin's underground and sees itself as a refuge for free (life) art and alternative club culture. Don't miss it!

Finally, another highlight is hidden in the basement of the building: the monster cabinet of the Berlin artist group Dead Chickens. It is a whimsical collection of mechanical and computer-controlled monster robots. The cabinet opened in 2010. Previously, the monsters lived in an old factory building in Berlin Schöneweide.

What does the Name "Schwarzenberg" mean?

A bizarre story gave Schwarzenberg its name: In the Erzgebirge, there is a town and a district called Schwarzenberg. At the end of the Second World War, due to a misunderstanding, the Allies advanced from both directions only to the borders of Schwarzenberg. Schwarzenberg thus remained unoccupied for six weeks and called itself the "Free Republic of Schwarzenberg". But in the end it was occupied by Soviet troops. Can there be a more fitting name for this little microcosm at Hackescher Markt?

Tip: You need a break after all these impressions? Then I recommend the traditional Café Cinema in the front building. It was founded on October 2, 1990, a few hours before the German reunification. In summer it also has benches in the courtyard of Haus Schwarzenberg.

How to get there

Address: Rosenthaler Straße 39 in Berlin Mitte.
Directions to get there: S-Bahn station Hackescher Markt or U-Bahn station Weinmeister Straße. The Tram line 1 stops almost directly in front of the entrance.

Do you want to discover the street art scene in Berlin together with like-minded people on a guided tour? Then I can recommend this three-hour Street Art Tour* or the half-day Tour through the Alternative Berlin* . Both tours are in English. Do you love lost places as much as street art? Then the Tour to the former Listening Station at Teufelsberg* (in German) is made for you.

Book Recommendations for Street Art Fans

You like to browse through illustrated books for new murals or artists you don't know yet? You love to discover the street art scene of other cities? Then I can recommend these books. Click on the picture to get to Amazon, where you can order the books. If you buy something through one of these affiliate links, I get a small commission and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you.

Did you like my article about the street art at Haus Schwarzenberg? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends. Do you have any questions or suggestions? If so, please write me a comment!

Tips for further reading & viewing

You love street art? Then take a look at my articles about Street Art in Kiev and in La Paz. Both cities have very different murals - but both are equally impressive.

Der Beitrag Haus Schwarzenberg – Street Art Highlight in Berlin erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

Unassigned, unpaid advertising. The article contains affiliate links.

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Here is where the Dog is buried - Greyfriars Bobby
History of the Cemetery Greyfriars Kirkyard
Overview of Greyfriar's Graveyard
Grave Ornaments and Symbolism
The Cemetery Church and the King of Terror
Mortsafe - a Safe for the Dead
The Flodden Wall
Covenanters’ Prison
Mackenzie's Poltergeist
Inspiration for Harry Potter
A Herb Garden in the Cemetery
Location and Opening Hours of the Greyfriars Cemetery in Edinburgh

Here is where the Dog is buried - Greyfriars Bobby

Right at the entrance to the cemetery there is a gravestone made of pink granite. In front of it there is a pile of sticks. No flowers, no angel figures - just dry sticks. That's a bit unusual, isn't it? The gravestone was also erected by the "Dog Aid Society of Scotland". So there is a dog buried here - and a very special one: the little Skye Terrier Bobby.

“Let his loyality & devotion be a lesson to us all”

Inscription on the gravestone of Bobby Greyfriar

Even after the death of his master, the policeman John Gray, Bobby did not leave his side. It is even said that the dog lived for 14 years on the cemetery. When he finally died in January 1872, he was buried at Greyfriars Kirkyard. So the faithful dog could be near his master even after his own death.

Whether the story is true or not is doubted by some people. Maybe it was just different dogs of the cemetery guard, who recognized the marketing effect early on? But I love the first story, it is so touching. And of course I also looked for a little stick for Bobby and put it in front of the gravestone.

Maybe you have seen Bobby before at the entrance of the cemetery? Not as a ghost but as a bronze figurewhich the inhabitants of Edinburgh have put up in memory of the loyal dog. It is said that it brings luck if you touch Bobby's snout.

Directly opposite the bronze statue and next to the cemetery there is also a pubof the same name where you can end your visit to the cemetery with an ale.

back to the overview

History of the Cemetery Greyfriars Kirkyard

But first a little bit of history: Until 1559 there was a Franciscan monasteryon the site of the Greyfriar Kirkyard. After the Reformation the Catholic monastery was dissolved. Since then, the area was the property of Mary Queen of Scots. As the former cemetery of St. Giles' Cathedral had become too small and was increasingly bothering the residents with a bad smell, the Queen made the monastery grounds available for a new cemetery in 1562. The grey robes of the "Grey Brothers" - as the Franciscans were also called - gave the new cemetery the name Greyfriars. Some prominent inhabitants of the city found their last resting place here on Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Overview of Greyfriar's Graveyard

To the right of Bobby's grave you can start by getting an overview of the cemetery. A map shows the different areas as well as the location of the gravesites of several prominent inhabitants of Edinburgh. All graves are numbered on the map. I photographed the map with my cell phone, so I could easily find my way around.

The cemetery area can be divided into four partswhich were used one after the other. The oldest area is located to the right of the entrance, where the monastery once stood. The tombs here are from the early 17th century. After that, burials took place in the area to the left of the church. On the third section, the "Covenanters Prison" in the southwest, the first burials took place from 1705 onwards. The youngest section of the cemetery is behind the rest of the "Flooden Wall". Here the first burial took place in 1800.

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Grave Ornaments and Symbolism

On the Greyfriars Kirkyard you can see a variety of different tomb monuments.Among them are mausoleums or tombs with small walls or metal fences. There are also lying and standing flat stones, crosses, as well as head- and footstones, obelisks, monuments and sarcophagi. A special kind of burial place are the mortsafes - but more about this later.

Interesting: Many burial sites were once surrounded by metal cages or fences. In the 1940s, however, these were often removed - the raw material was needed for the steel industry during the war.

The gravestones on Greyfriars are often artistically decorated with grave symbols. Three themes are frequently encountered: Mortality, immortality through resurrection and the means of rescue.

Examples of symbols of mortality are images of coffins, deathbeds, skulls with and without wings, hourglasses, torches and the so-called Green Man. For immortality, on the other hand, there are angel figures, hearts, crowns, lamps, trumpets, winged souls. In addition, Animals are often carved on gravestones - either because of a personal connection to the animal or as a symbol. These include lions, lambs, cranes, horses, doves, snakes, peacocks and more. The profession of the deceased was also often depicted on the gravestones, for example by the tools used in the respective profession. In addition, plants often decorate the gravestones. They also usually have a symbolic meaning. For example, the flower forget-me-not stands for a deep love, which even death cannot end. Beautiful, right?

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The Cemetery Church and the King of Terror

The church at Greyfriars Cemetery was the first church built after the Reformation. It was consecrated in 1620. Its official name is Greyfriars Tolbooth and Highland Kirk.It is the center of an active community and can even be visited. Unfortunately it was closed during my visit due to Covid-19 and I could only view it from the outside.

The outer facade of the church bears several grave reliefs. One of them is particularly striking: the “King of Terror”With a scythe in his hand, the grinning skeleton is clearly a symbol of mortality. Or more clearly: it is death in person.

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Mortsafe - a Safe for the Dead

In the early 19th century, the curiosity of the physicians at the "Royal College of Surgeons" could not be stopped. Officially, however, only one corpse of an executed man was placed at the disposal of the College, founded in 1505, for anatomical examinations. More corpses had to be brought in. No matter how, the physicians - above all the well-known Dr. Robert Knox - turned a blind eye to this. Grave robbers began to plunder fresh gravesites. Clothes or jewelry were left behind in the grave. The naked corpses were then often transported away hidden in beer barrels. It did not take long and the sale of stolen corpses became a lucrative business.

Countermeasures were taken to prevent the robbery of the corpses: the mortsafe - a metal cage - was placed over the freshly buried bodyuntil the corpse had decomposed to such an extent that it was no longer of interest for medicine. In addition to the mortsafes, burial sites were also closed with walls and iron bars. Examples of this can be found to the left of the church.

Concerned relatives tied bracelets around the deceased, which were connected to a bell by a rope. When the body was moved, the bell sounded the alarm. In addition, they guarded the cemeteries in guard groups day and night. For this purpose, a small guard house was erected at the entrance of the cemetery. Only the Anatomy Law of 1832,which regulated the legal use of corpses, put an end to the robbery of corpses.

William Burke and William Hare made it a little easier for themselves. They lured lodgers into their house and murdered them. In the period 1827-1828 they supplied the anatomy school with 16 fresh corpses. But the two murderers were caught and Hare betrayed his partner Burke afterwards. He was finally charged with the total debt, whereupon he was executed in 1829. His death mask and skeleton as well as a book bound in his skin can be seen in the Surgeon's Hall Museum .

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The Flodden Wall

On the west side of the cemetery, the remains of the 16th century defense wall an turbulente Zeiten. Die “Flodden Wall” wurde im Jahr 1560 fertiggestellt. Anlass dafür war die Niederlage Schottlands in der Schlacht von Flodden gegen die Engländer im Jahr 1513. Hinter der etwa 7,3 Meter hohen und 1,3 Meter dicken Mauer lebten damals rund 10.000 Menschen auf einer Fläche von 57 Hektar. Sechs Tore gaben den Weg in die Stadt frei. Zur Abschreckung von Verbrechern wurde an den heads and limbs of executed criminals were displayed at the city gates .

The wall was supposed to protect Edinburgh from an English invasion. But this never took place. Probably the wall would not have helped much. It was much more suitable for controlling trade and preventing smuggling.

In the middle of the 18th century, the city walls became more of an obstacle for the growing city. Parts of the walls were therefore torn down. Today there are only a few remains of Edinburgh's protective wall, the most famous being the one at Greyfriars Kirkyard. Other sections can also be seen at the Vennel and Drummond Street.

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Covenanters’ Prison

During the reign of Charles II in the 17th century a religious battle was fought. Because Charles wanted to align the Scottish Church with the English Church. The believing Scots resisted the new "Common Book of Prayer", there were riots and protests in churches. The so-called "Covenanters" then united the resistance and signed the "National Pact" in 1638. Where? At the Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh. A plaque to the left of the entrance today commemorates the signatories of the document that vehemently rejects Charles' religious changes.

The following year the conflict had escalated into a war between Charles II and the Covenanters. Finally, around 1,200 Covenanters were captured at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679. They were locked in a field south of the churchyard for five months. The prisoners were beaten and tortured by the guards, and some died of starvation and harsh conditions. After declaring that they would never again use a weapon against the crown, the majority of the prisoners were finally released. But 380 prisoners did not take this oath. They should then be brought to the colonies by ship. But they never got there. The ship got caught in a storm and sank near the Orkneys.

Later, in the 18th century, this field became part of Greyfriars Cemetery and is called "Covenanters Prison". Today the area is only accessible as part of guided tours. It is supposed to be haunted!

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Mackenzie's Poltergeist in Greyfriars Cemetery

The attorney George Mackenzie was prosecuting the Covenanters and was known for its cruelty. After his death he was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard - not far from Covenanters Prison. His pretty mausoleum with the blue doors has repeatedly been the target of tomb desecrations.In 1999 a homeless man even took up residence in the mausoleum. Since then, reports of ghost encounters and attackshave increased. Nocturnal visitors to Greyfriars suddenly had abrasions, scratches or bruises after their stay at the said grave site. Where would these come from if not from the Mackenzie Poltergeist? The mind is even blamed for broken fingers and death. In addition, an exorcist is said to have sensed evil forces in the cemetery that were after his life. He died shortly after of a heart attack.

Spooky! But I can't really believe in it. But my curiosity was aroused. And so I finally booked an evening cemetery tour with City of the Dead Tours. When I was back in my hotel room afterwards, I immediately checked for bruises and scratches. Nothing.

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Inspiration for Harry Potter

Also the author of the Harry Potter novels - J.K. Rowling - was drawn to the flair of Greyfriars Cemetery in Edinburgh. And more: she also found inspiration for her novels on walks between the tombstones. Some of the names carved on the tombstones here even reappear in their books. Best known is certainly Thomas Riddle, who found his way into Rowling's stories as Tom Riddle. It is the name of the boy who later became the dreaded Lord Voldemort.

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A Herb Garden in the Cemetery

But the dog Bobby and the Mackenzie poltergeist are not the only unusual things in Greyfriars Cemetery. Every now and then you come across small wooden signs in front of lush flower beds. What can be read on the wooden signs? One says “Kitchen Herbs” (Küchenkräuter)and another says “Medical Herbs” (Medizinkräuter)There are a few more. Have you seen this before? That herbs are grown in a cemetery? I think it's great. Reminds me a bit of a personal story: we planted a tomato plant for my beloved Grandma on her grave - she loved tomatoes.

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Location and Opening Hours of the Greyfriars Cemetery in Edinburgh

Greyfriars Kirkyard is on the edge of historic Edinburgh, just a five minute walk from the Grassmarket .

There are two entrances to the cemetery. Both are on Candlemaker Row, east of Grassmarket. The entrance further above is directly opposite the National Museum. There is also the statue of Greyfriars Bobby here.

Like most cemeteries in Scotland, Greyfriars Kirkyard is open 24 hours a day.You can therefore visit it at any time for free on your own. There are also guided tours that take you to the otherwise locked area of the cemetery.

Book Recommendations for Scotland

You want to know where the journey goes? Then I recommend the following travel guides, which have proven themselves on my trip:

Lonely Planet Scotland*

Schottland. Wanderungen an den Küsten und in den Highlands. 50 Touren. Mit GPS-Tracks* (only German)

Rough Guide to the
North Coast 500*

Do you know Greyfriars Kirkyard cemetery in Edinburgh? Scary beautiful, isn't it? Write me a comment and tell me how you liked it!

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Recommendations for further Reading

You will find more mystical places on Iceland: I would like to show you two very special caves. The first is an Ice Cave at the Volcano Katla and the second one is the extinct Volcano Thrihnukagigur, which you can visit from inside.

Der Beitrag Toter Hund und Poltergeist – Greyfriars Friedhof in Edinburgh erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.

"Poor but sexy!" Who said that? That was Berlin's mayor Wowereit in November 2003, when the phrase became the city's leitmotif and was often quoted.

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The Street Art walk around Bülowstraße at a Glance

Start and end point: Nollendorfplatz underground station
Length: about 3.2 kilometers
Duration of the walk: about 1,5 hours
Tip: Combine your walk with a visit to the Urban Art Museum for Contemporary Art,, one of Berlin's Street Art hotspots.

Urban Art Museum for Contemporary Art,

What is street art doing in a museum? Street art belongs on the street...

Actually, yes, but. The international network of URBAN NATION promotes artists and the acceptance of street art. Because everyone who is involved with street art knows: art polarizes. And art that is visible to everyone on the street, all the more so. Workshops, Street Art Festivals, das “One Wall” Projekt und natürlich das Museum selbst schaffen eine communication platform. A basis for the exchange and growing together of artists, artworks and the inhabitants behind the painted walls. The museum on Bülowstraße documents the history of a subculture and explores the question of what makes street art so fascinating and successful. A total of 100 works by well-known artists and newcomersawait you. And for those who can't make it to Berlin, the museum also offers a digital tour. .

On the outer facade of the museum is a modular interchangeable facade with fibre cement panels. It was redesigned in June 2020 by Dave the Chimp & Friends . Dave is known for his orange "Human Beans". Together with Mina, Señor Schnu, Lunartik and Humble Writerz he designed the façade of the museum. The result is a picture in which so much is to be discovered that one can hardly make the jump into the actual museum. But for all the diversity, there is also an overriding theme: solidarity.

How to get there:
Bülowstraße 7; underground station Bülowstraße (U2) or Nollendorfplatz (U1, U2, U3, U4).
Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Die “East Side Gallery” des Westens – Street Art rund um die Bülowstraße

Now it's off to the street, or rather to my little gallery. Some pictures have come together. But you can discover many more on your walk around the Bülowstraße. With a click on the pictureyou can see the photos in full size. The title of the picture is also shown. In the best case, you will find out the artist, the title of the work of art and the address.

Do you want to discover the street art scene in Berlin together with like-minded people on a guided tour? Then I can recommend this three-hour Street Art Tour* or the half-day Tour through the Alternative Berlin* . Both tours are in English. Do you love lost places as much as street art? Then the Tour to the former Listening Station at Teufelsberg* (in German) is made for you.

Book Recommendations for Street Art Fans

You like to browse through illustrated books for new murals or artists you don't know yet? You love to discover the street art scene of other cities? Then I can recommend these books. Click on the picture to get to Amazon, where you can order the books. If you buy something through one of these affiliate links, I get a small commission and you help me to keep filling Fernweh-Motive with interesting articles. The product will not be more expensive for you.

Did you like my Street Art walk around Bülowstraße? Then follow me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram. I would also be very happy if you share my article with your friends. Do you have any questions or suggestions? If so, please write me a comment!

Tips for further reading & viewing

You love street art? Then take a look at my articles about Street Art in Kiev and in La Paz. Both cities have very different murals - but both are equally impressive.

Der Beitrag Street Art Spaziergang Bülowstraße – Kunst für alle! erschien zuerst auf Fernweh-Motive.