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FTRC.BLOG / Unexpected Berlin: History, Street Art & Schnitzel

Unexpected Berlin: History, Street Art & Schnitzel

This page serves as your guide to Berlin, a city that is always reinventing itself. I have explored its intriguing history and vibrant neighborhoods and discovered some hidden gems that you won’t find in a typical guidebook.

We’ll explore beyond the iconic Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag Building to discover quirky museums, street art, and remnants of the Berlin Wall. Have you ever heard of the Stasi Museum? It’s a chilling reminder of Berlin’s divided past. We’ll also explore the Museum in der Kulturbrauerei, where you can learn about the surprisingly vibrant heavy metal scene in East Germany.

Of course, every trip to Berlin is complete with indulging in delicious food. I’ll share my favorite spots to find the biggest schnitzel in the city and, maybe, the best burgers Berlin has to offer.

So, come along with me and experience the unique energy of Berlin. Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, or just looking for an adventure, this page will inspire you to explore this captivating city.

If you love street photography, Berlin history, and stories of long-lost treasures, I have a remarkable exhibition for you. From June 5 to September 27, 2026, the Willy-Brandt-Haus is presenting a wonderful look into the past with “A Berlin Suitcase” (Ein Berliner Koffer), a showcase dedicated entirely to the brilliant pre-war work of photographer Fide Struck.

Inside ‘A Berlin Suitcase’: The Rediscovered 1930s Photography of Fide Struck

The “Ein Berliner Koffer“ or A Berlin Suitcase by Fide Struck will happen from June 5 to September 27, 2026, at the Willy-Brandt-Haus that can be found on Stresemannstraße 28. And if you want to take a piece of this history home like I did, the prestigious DISTANZ Verlag has published a gorgeous accompanying photo book…

The Berlin Wall Memorial, also known in German as Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer, is a mix of monuments and museums commemorating the city's division by the Berlin Wall and the people who died because of it. And we consider it to be the best place to learn about the wall and how it affected the city and the entire continent.

The Calm Before the Storm: Walking the Berlin Wall in 1989 Just Months Before it Fell

Rare footage shot by an ordinary traveler walking along the Berlin Wall in 1989 captures a city seemingly frozen in time. Completely unaware that this symbol of division was about to vanish.

When I ask people about Berlin’s green spaces, most of them mention Tempelhofer Feld or Treptower Park. However, tucked away in the Schöneberg lies a hidden gem that offers an entirely different kind of outdoor experience: Natur-Park Südgelände. And I believe more people should know about this unique blend of history and wilderness.

Exploring Natur-Park Südgelände: Berlin’s Unique Blend of Rail, Art, and Wilderness

When I ask people about Berlin’s green spaces, most of them mention Tempelhofer Feld or the Tiergarten. However, tucked away in the Schöneberg lies a hidden gem that offers an entirely different kind of outdoor experience: Natur-Park Südgelände. And I believe more people should know about this unique blend of history a…

Krematorium Baumschulenweg was designed by Axel Schultes and Charlotte Frank, who also worked on the Berlin Chancellery. What they created feels less like a building and more like a sensory experience. While I was there, this was one of the many things that came to mind.

Inside the Krematorium Baumschulenweg: Concrete, Light, and Shadows

Krematorium Baumschulenweg was designed by Axel Schultes and Charlotte Frank, who also worked on the Berlin Chancellery. What they created feels less like a building and more like a sensory experience. While I was there, this was one of the many things that came to mind.

Whenever tourists think about Berlin architecture, I believe they picture two things in their minds: the modern glass buildings around Potsdamer Platz and the Prussian palaces and boulevards. But there is a massive residential complex in Berlin-Schöneberg that can tell a much more complicated story. If you are interested in history and architecture as much as I am, you shouldn’t miss the Grazer Damm housing estate. This is not a normal residential complex; this is what Nazi Germany thought about urban planning.

Finding the Grazer Damm: A Deep Dive into Berlin’s Dark Architectural History

There is a massive residential complex in Berlin-Schöneberg that can tell a much more complicated story. If you are interested in history and architecture as much as I am, you shouldn’t miss the Grazer Damm housing estate. This is not a normal residential complex; this is what Nazi Germany thought about urban planning.

There is a specific rhythm to exploring Berlin with a camera like the Mamiya C330. This isn’t like some of my other cameras. You don’t use it to snap pictures, as the kids say. To me, this is a camera for constructing pictures, if that is something that I can say.

An early morning photowalk through Adlershof with the Mamiya C330

The pictures you can see here are from May 2024. I didn’t have a good night of sleep one day, and I decided to feel productive and left the house with my Mamiya C330 at hand. I took my bike on a photographic ride to Berlin-Adlershof with a goal in mind: I wanted to test an Ilford HP5 with some red filters. Not only tha…

Berlin is a city with a weird tendency to discard airports. The city goes through them so fast that it’s hard to remember all of them. One of these airports was called Flugplatz Schönwalde, and here I will tell you about its history.

Flugplatz Schönwalde: Exploring Berlin’s Ghost Airport and Its WWII Secrets

Berlin's abandoned airfields are legendary, but have you heard of Flugplatz Schönwalde? Uncover the haunting, untold story of this decaying WWII site.

Discover the untold story behind the closure of the unique Berlin Buchstabenmuseum. Explore its iconic collection of neon signs and historic typography, and understand why this beloved, volunteer-run institution, a true piece of Berlin's identity, had to close its doors after 20 years. A must-read for anyone interested in Berlin history and urban typography.

The End of an Era: Why the Beloved Berlin Buchstabenmuseum Had to Close

Discover the untold story behind the closure of the unique Berlin Buchstabenmuseum. Explore its iconic collection of neon signs and historic typography, and understand why this beloved, volunteer-run institution, a true piece of Berlin's identity, had to close its doors after 20 years.

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