A fascinating ArchitekTour through Berlin - a journey to the architectural treasures of the capital

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of starting the "ArchitekTour! Berlin - 1", an exciting journey where I was able to explore some of the city's most impressive architectural masterpieces. From historic industrial buildings to futuristic structures, there was a lot to discover. In this post, I want to share my experiences with you and provide both inspiration and information to plan your own ArchitekTour through Berlin.

In terms of architectural features, the AEG Turbinenhalle is known for its impressive size and characteristic red brick façade. The façade is decorated with Gothic pointed arches, windows and battlements, giving the building a certain resemblance to a castle. This reflects the trend at the time to showcase industrial buildings architecturally and at the same time give them a certain artistic aesthetic.

Inside the turbine hall, the spacious layout and imposing steel structures are particularly impressive. High ceilings, wide pillars and open floor plans were typical of the industrial architecture of the time. This structure provided space for the huge turbines and generators that were needed to produce electricity.

TIPPS in der Umgebung der AEG Turbinenhalle:

There are other architecturally interesting buildings in the vicinity of the AEG Turbine Hall. 

1st Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum of Contemporary Art:

The Hamburger Bahnhof, a former railroad station, now houses the Museum of Contemporary Art. The building itself is an impressive example of 19th century industrial architecture. With its impressive iron construction and spacious layout, the Hamburger Bahnhof provides a unique backdrop for contemporary works of art.

2 Charité - University Hospital:

The Charité, a historic hospital and medical center, is not only known for its medical importance, but also for its impressive architecture. The main building with its neoclassical facades and magnificent entrance hall is an architectural gem. Nearby is also the Mäusebunker, which I mentioned earlier, which may not have spectacular architecture but has an interesting history.

3 Berlin Central Station:

Berlin Central Station is one of the most significant modern buildings in Berlin. With its impressive glass roof construction and modern building elements, the main station is an architectural highlight. The building was opened in 2006 and plays an important role in the city's public transportation system.

4th Friedrichstraße:

Friedrichstraße, one of the most famous streets in Berlin, is known for its mix of historical and modern architecture. Here you will find impressive buildings such as the Friedrichstadtpassagen, a shopping center in a historic ensemble of buildings, as well as modern architectural highlights such as Quartier 206, an avant-garde building with a futuristic façade.

These architecturally interesting buildings near the AEG Turbinenhalle offer an exciting addition to your ArchitekTour through Berlin. They represent different eras and styles of architecture and show the diversity and development of the city over the course of time.

The Mäusebunker, officially known as the Charité laboratory animal house, is a historic building in Berlin with an interesting history. It was built in the 1960s and served the Charité, one of Germany's oldest university hospitals, as a research laboratory for studying mice and other rodents.

The architect of the mouse bunker was the renowned German architect Hermann Kramer, who designed several important buildings in Berlin in the 1950s and 1960s. The Mäusebunker reflects the functionalist, brutalist architectural spirit of the time. The plain concrete façade and simple geometric shapes of the building contrast with the surrounding architecture.

Over the last 30 years, the Mäusebunker has had various uses. After the end of animal testing in the 1990s, the building stood empty and was no longer used. Over the years, the Mäusebunker developed into a place that was discovered by artists and graffiti writers. The empty walls and rooms provided a canvas for creative expression and contributed to the emergence of an urban art scene.

In 2013, the Mäusebunker was officially closed and Charité began planning a new use for the building. There were plans to transform the Mäusebunker into an art and cultural center to further promote the influence of the urban art scene. So far, however, these plans have not been fully implemented.

Nevertheless, the Mäusebunker has become a magnet for art and architecture lovers. The abandoned rooms and the remains of its past use offer a mysterious and fascinating sight. Visitors can admire the graffiti artwork and experience the unique atmosphere of the place.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for the Mouse Bunker and what new plans will be developed for the building. However, it is certain that this place will continue to exert a magnetic attraction on people from the art and architecture scene who appreciate the unique symbiosis of past and present.

The Telegrafenberg in Potsdam is a historic site known for its many scientific institutions and impressive buildings. One of the most outstanding buildings on the Telegrafenberg is the Einstein Tower, which is the focus of my extension.

The Einstein Tower was designed and built between 1919 and 1921 by architect Erich Mendelsohn. The building is considered one of the most important examples of expressionist architecture in Germany. It was designed specifically for Albert Einstein's research into solar physics.

The architectural design of the Einstein Tower is impressive. The futuristic shape and the use of concrete, steel and glass give the tower a unique aesthetic. The striking structure of the tower, consisting of a central dome and several outbuildings, enabled Einstein's research team to observe the sun and carry out experiments to verify the general theory of relativity.

Various scientific facilities were housed in the outbuildings of the Einstein Tower. The Potsdam Astrophysical Observatory was one of the facilities that operated here. It carried out research in the field of solar and stellar physics. The buildings also served as a solar observatory, where observations of the sun were carried out using special instruments.

Telegrafenberg is also home to other important scientific institutions. The GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ), for example, is one of the world's leading research institutions for geosciences. Studies on earthquake research, earth layer analysis and other geoscientific topics are carried out here.

Another remarkable building on the Telegrafenberg is the Great Refractor, a historic telescope built in 1899. It offers an insight into the past of astronomical observation and was an important instrument for astronomical research for decades.

The Telegrafenberg as a whole is a fascinating example of how science, research and architecture can come together. The buildings represent different eras and styles of architecture and are an expression of the progress and importance of research on the Telegrafenberg.

As an outstanding architectural monument, the Einstein Tower is both an architectural masterpiece and a symbol of Einstein's groundbreaking research into the theory of relativity. In combination with the other scientific facilities on the Telegrafenberg, the Einstein Tower embodies the close connection between architecture and scientific discovery.

There are other attractions near the Teufelsberg that you can visit:

1. Grunewald: with over 3,000 hectares, Grunewald is Berlin's largest forest and offers numerous hiking and cycling trails as well as idyllic lakes. Here you can enjoy nature and escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
2. Olympiastadion Berlin: The Olympiastadion Berlin is another architectural highlight. It was built for the 1936 Olympic Games and is still in use today. The stadium is known for its imposing dome and impressive acoustics during concerts and sporting events.
3. Strandbad Wannsee: If you long to relax by the water, you should visit the Strandbad Wannsee. It is one of the largest inland lake baths in Europe and offers a sandy beach, sunbathing lawns and clear waters for swimming and sunbathing.
4. Charlottenburg Palace: Charlottenburg Palace is the largest palace in Berlin and an impressive example of baroque architecture. It was built in the 17th century and is home to a number of museums and galleries, including the New Palace and the palace park.

Teufelsberg and its surrounding attractions offer a diverse mix of history, architecture, art and nature. Whether you want to explore the remnants of the Cold War, enjoy the views of Berlin or relax in nature, this area has something for everyone.

Eine ArchitekTour durch Berlin bietet eine einzigartige Möglichkeit, die vielfältige architektonische Landschaft dieser faszinierenden Stadt zu entdecken. Von historischen Gebäuden bis hin zu modernen Konstruktionen gibt es viel zu sehen und zu bewundern. Egal, ob Sie selbst eine Tour planen oder nur daran interessiert sind, mehr über die Architektur Berlins zu erfahren, hoffe ich, dass dieser Artikel hilfreiche Informationen und Inspiration geboten hat.