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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.

For me, MyFest Kreuzberg is the unofficial open air party that marks the beginning of summer in Berlin. The trees are all green, and you can see people on the streets for the first time in a while. It marks a new season, a new beginning and, since 2012, I try to go there and enjoy myself in the best way possible.

How to enjoy MyFest Kreuzberg in the best way possible

For me, MyFest Kreuzberg is the unofficial open-air party that marks the beginning of summer in Berlin. The trees are all green, and you can see people on the streets for the first time in a while. It marks a new season, a new beginning and, since 2012, I try to go there and enjoy… Read More »Unexpect…

The Haus is Berlin’s newest attraction, and it can only be described as one of these things that only happen in the German Capital. We say this because over 150 artists were invited to turn a disused bank into a temporary gallery for street art. Every room becomes a piece of art, and there are paintings, tags, sculptures and graffiti spread over five floors. But… Everything will only last until demolition day.

The Haus: Turning a soon to be demolished Bank into a Temporary Gallery for Street Art

The Haus is Berlin’s newest attraction, and it can only be described as one of these things that only happen in the German Capital. We say this because over 150 artists were invited to turn a disused bank into a temporary gallery for street art. Every room becomes a piece of art, and there are… Read More &r…

When David Bowie died, in early 2016, we were surprised to read a tweet from the German Foreign Office mentioning how he helped bring down the Berlin Wall. We read it and started looking for a David Bowie Berlin Concert so we could see him in action. One of the first items we found was the Glass Spider Tour of 1987 that became legendary for a lot of reasons. Some say it was the worst tour Bowie ever did. Below we’re going to explain you this concert in Berlin.

David Bowie Berlin Concert 1987: The Glass Spider Tour in front of the Reichstag

When David Bowie died in early 2016, we were not surprised to read a tweet from the German Foreign Office mentioning how he helped bring down the Berlin Wall. We read it and started looking for a David Bowie Berlin Concert to see him in action.

Knut and Friends: The story of a polar bear in the Berlin Zoo - By Jensk369 (Jens Koßmagk) (selbst fotografiert von Jens Koßmagk) [CC BY-SA 2.0 de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons

Knut and Friends: The story of a polar bear in the Berlin Zoo

When I think about the Berlin Zoo, one thing comes to my mind: the polar bear called Knut. In December 2006, Knut was a polar bear born in the Berlin Zoo that became so popular that his presence increased zoo attendance by 30%. Yeah, everybody loved Knut, but he is no longer with us. His… Read More »U…

If you ever wondered why Strasse des 17. Juni has its name, you have to watch this short movie from British Pathé from the Berlin Riots of 1953. This short movie is not a documentary but a newsreel report about the uprising of workers against the Communist Regime in East Germany. This is the real deal, not an interpretation of what happened.

Berlin Riots: The 1953 Uprising of Workers in East Germany

If you ever wondered why Strasse des 17. Juni has its name; you must watch this short movie from British Pathé from the Berlin Riots 1953. This short movie is not a documentary but a newsreel report about workers’ uprising against the Communist Regime in East Germany.

During the seventies, Berlin was a city scarred by a war and by a wall the split it in half. This was the city where David Bowie and Iggy Pop decided to live, trying to escape the drug culture of Los Angeles. But where did David Bowie live in Berlin?

Where did David Bowie live in Berlin?

During the seventies, Berlin was a city scarred by a war and by a wall the split it in half. This was the city where David Bowie and Iggy Pop decided to live, trying to escape the drug culture of Los Angeles. But where did David Bowie live in Berlin?

Without its cover, an album is just a black vinyl disc. But, with its cover, it becomes something magical that captures our eyes and turns music into something more. You don't even need to close your eyes to remember four guys walking in a crosswalk, a baby under water trying to catch a dollar bill, a yellow banana... Everybody knows what are those and this is why Total Records at C/O Berlin is such an interesting exhibition.

Total Records: The Art of Vinyl & Photography at C/O Berlin

Without its cover, an album is just a black vinyl disc. But, with its cover, it becomes something magical that captures our eyes and turns music into something more. Everybody knows what they are, which is why Total Records at C/O Berlin is such an interesting exhibition.

I have been to West Berlin a few hundred times but, for me, that part of the city is still a mystery. Sometimes you look into a different direction and something completely new pops up before your eyes. This is what happened to me one day when I left Kurfürstendamm U-Bahn and looked up at the subway exit at Joachimstaler Strasse. There was a prismatic building looking over the street and I had no idea what is was. After some online research, a name came to me: Verkehrskanzel.

Verkehrskanzel: Berlin’s Only Traffic Control Pulpit Left from the Fifties

I have been to West Berlin a few hundred times, but that part of the city is still a mystery. Sometimes, you look in a different direction, and something completely new pops up before your eyes. This is what happened with the Verkehrskanzel.

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