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Pedaling Through History: A Bauhaus Pilgrimage by Bike

When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.

In the summer of 2021, I visited the Bauhaus Museum in Dessau. This was the first stop on my trip to celebrate receiving the COVID-19 booster shot. I also visited Dresden, Leipzig, Halle, and Dessau during this trip. Dessau was particularly special to me as I had been dreaming of visiting it for years.

I have been a designer for twenty years, and the Bauhaus has heavily influenced my work and design perspective. Their work was presented to me when I wasn’t sure if this was the direction I wanted to take in life, and it changed my way of seeing the work I was doing.

One day, I was browsing Instagram when I saw a picture of the Bauhaus School sign in place. I wondered if that was a real picture and when it was taken. I commented on the picture, and the person mentioned that it was recent and the sign was in place.

That was when a light bulb went on in my head, and I decided it was time to pick up my bike and cycle to Dessau to see the Bauhaus School sign in its proper place.

I decided that 2024 would be a year when I cycled more. Because of that, I have been going on longer than usual trips. Earlier in the year, I went to Cottbus by bike. Another moment, I cycled to Potsdam and back, which doesn’t sound like much for most people, but it was a victory for me.

Recently, I got a Wahoo Elemnt to use as a GPS tracker and route guide for my bike. This bike ride to Dessau would be the perfect scenario to test it out since it would be a little over 100km on top of the bike.

When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.

From Potsdam to Dessau: A Cyclist’s Bauhaus Dream Come True

My bike ride started in Potsdam. I didn’t want to waste my time trying to cycle out of Berlin-Neukölln, so early Monday morning, I took my bike on a train to Potsdam and started my cycling day.

When I was planning the route, I combined a few places off-road with others on bike lanes so I would get excited about the bike ride as my muscles got tired.

One of the highlights for me was all the paths in the forest when I passed by newly cut tree logs. I love the smell of these trees. Another one was all the sunflower fields that I passed by. They all looked so interesting that I had to stop to take pictures. One of them felt a bit different, and I think I stumbled upon a hemp field in the middle of Brandenburg.

One place that I cycled past was Beelitz, and I need to go back there soon. I passed by a sign pointing to the Beelitzer Spargelstrasse, and if you have been in Berlin for as long as I have, you know what this means. If not, you must try some of the asparagus growing there.

When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.

Getting to Dessau and the Bauhaus School

After 90 kilometers, I wondered when I would get to Dessau. This was when I saw a sign pointing towards Roßlau, and I knew I was about to arrive since this was the city on the other side of the Elbe River. I got excited even though my legs were killing me.

While I cycled across the river, I could only think about the hours I had spent cycling and the moment I would finally see the Bauhaus School sign with my own eyes. Most people don’t care much about that, but it was an important moment.

As I cycled through the streets of Dessau, I was glad to be wearing sunglasses because it was clear that I would be too emotional on arrival. Once I reached Gropiusallee and Bauhausplatz, I could already see the sign, which was exactly what I had in mind.

When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.

I stopped my bike next to it and sat on the ground, staring at it for a few moments before I took my camera and took pictures from every angle possible. It took me years to see the Bauhaus School sign, but it finally happened.

Seeing this sign featuring one of the classic Bauhaus typefaces in such a massive size was truly magical. I have read a lot about the school, learned extensively about design, and got to where I am today because of the influence of Bauhaus. Finally, seeing it with my own eyes was a dream come true. I couldn’t be happier, especially after going on a cycling pilgrimage like this.

It took me more than a hundred kilometers to get there. This experience made everything even more meaningful and important to me. Now, I need to find another pilgrimage for myself and my bike. Let’s see where we are going to head next.

When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.
When I first visited the Bauhaus school in Dessau, one thing was missing: the Bauhaus sign that appears in most school images. That part of the building was covered with a tarp, and a replacement sign was in place. For years, I wondered when the original sign would be back in place, and I had an answer to that question in the summer of 2024.

If you want to visit Dessau and the Bauhaus School, remember to visit their museum in town. The Bauhaus Museum in Dessau is one of the best places to learn about the movement and its artwork since it has the world’s second-largest collection of Bauhaus-related objects. You can use the Deutschland Ticket to arrive there for free using regional trains if you feel like cycling there is too much.

Follow the map below, and you will get there easily.

100 Kilometers for a Sign: My Bauhaus Cycling Odyssey

Gropiusallee 38, 06846
Dessau-Roßlau

bauhaus-dessau.de

Felipe Tofani

Felipe Tofani

Felipe Tofani is a passionate designer with a penchant for crafting unique experiences and a mixed taste in music. As the curator behind this blog's explorations, he takes pride in discovering fascinating destinations. Whether unearthing hidden gems or sharing captivating historical narratives, Felipe is the creative force driving the stories you find here. Join him on a journey of design, discovery, and the delightful rhythm of unconventional tunes.View Author posts

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