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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.

Get ready to conquer Berlin's biggest schnitzel at Louis! This legendary restaurant in historic Rixdorf serves up an epic pork schnitzel that's over a kilo. Discover the taste of tradition and challenge your appetite.

Conquer Berlin’s Biggest Schnitzel: An Epic Food Challenge at Louis

Ever dreamed of tackling a schnitzel that could feed a small army? Look no further than Louis, a charming restaurant in Berlin’s historic Rixdorf district. This isn’t your average schnitzel, folks – it’s the biggest schnitzel in Berlin, and ready to test your appetite. A Schnitzel Legend in the Heart …

Heavier, harder, louder, faster was the motto for heavy metal fans in the 1980s, not just in the West but also behind the Iron Curtain. The Museum in der Kulturbrauerei Berlin is hosting a charming exhibition, "Heavy Metal in the GDR," that dives into the passionate and surprisingly resilient heavy metal scene in East Germany.

Behind the Iron Curtain: The Untold Story of Heavy Metal in the GDR

The Museum in der Kulturbrauerei Berlin is hosting a charming exhibition, “Heavy Metal in the GDR,” that dives into the passionate and surprisingly resilient heavy metal scene in East Germany.

However, the story doesn't end there. In July 2015, Murnau's final resting place in Stahnsdorf South-Western Cemetery was desecrated in an unusual set of circumstances. His skull was stolen, and although wax residue found at the scene hinted at a possible occult motive, the perpetrators and their intentions remain shrouded in mystery. This macabre incident has cast a shadow over the legacy of one of cinema's most visionary figures, leaving an enduring question mark alongside his undeniable contributions to the art form. His skull has not been recovered since.

The Ghost of F.W. Murnau in Berlin: Unearthing His Secrets in the German Capital

F.W. Murnau left a multi-dimensional legacy in Berlin. It includes the enduring impact of his films, the unsettling story of his stolen skull, and the subtle tributes scattered in surprising places around the city.

The Berlin Wall wasn't simply a physical border. The video here paints a vivid picture of how this seemingly impenetrable structure went through the heart of Berlin. Families were separated overnight, friends couldn't visit each other freely, and the Berlin Wall's construction led to a devastating housing crisis in West Berlin. You can still see some of these problems in the city today.

The Berlin Wall in Video in 1981: A Must-See for History Buffs in Berlin

Get a chilling glimpse of the Berlin Wall in video. This short documentary reveals the Wall's impact on Berlin and the human cost of Cold War division.

If you love movies and find yourself in Berlin, a trip to the Deutsche Kinemathek, also known as the Berlin Cinema Museum, is an absolute must. Discover the magic of German film and television history at this extraordinary museum in Potsdamer Platz.

Berlin Cinema Museum: A Celebration of German Film & Television

If you love movies and find yourself in Berlin, a trip to the Deutsche Kinemathek, also known as the Berlin Cinema Museum, is an absolute must. Discover the magic of German film and television history at this extraordinary museum in Potsdamer Platz.

Berlin is filled with incredible street art, but a one-piece mural on Prinzenstrasse holds a unique surprise. The Daphne and Apollo mural, a towering collaboration between artists Francisco Bosoletti and Young Jarus, retells an ancient Greek myth with a hidden twist.

Explore Berlin’s Daphne & Apollo Mural on Prinzenstrasse in Kreuzberg

Berlin is filled with incredible street art, but a one-piece mural on Prinzenstrasse holds a unique surprise. The Daphne and Apollo mural, a towering collaboration between artists Francisco Bosoletti and Young Jarus, retells an ancient Greek myth with a hidden twist.

In the aftermath of World War II, Berlin became a city split in two—a concrete sign of the ideological divide between East and West. This short video, Life in POSTWAR BERLIN before the WALL, which I found on the BBC Archive YouTube page, explores the stark differences in the quality of life between East and West Berlin and the invisible boundary between them.

Berlin’s Divided Heart: Stories of Resilience and Resistance

In the aftermath of World War II, Berlin became a city split in two—a concrete sign of the ideological divide between East and West. This short video, Life in POSTWAR BERLIN before the WALL, which I found on the BBC Archive YouTube page, explores the stark differences in the quality of life between East and West Berlin…

In the heart of Berlin, at the edge of where Tempelhof and Neukölln meet, a colossal iron relic stands as a stark reminder of the city's turbulent past. Known as the Vaubeka Crane, this industrial titan once symbolized resilience during a crisis.

From Industrial Workhorse to Historic Landmark: The Vaubeka Crane Story

The Vaubeka Crane towers over the Teltow Canal, a crucial waterway for transporting goods into Berlin. It was built in 1935 for the United Berlin Coal Dealers by Vereinigte Berliner Kohlenhandels (VAUBEKA). Its task during the airlift was monumental—to quickly unload precious coal flown in from nearby Tempelhof Airport…

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