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Welcome to Kreuzberg!
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Kreuzberg is not just wild parties and loud noise - it has its idyllic side as well, which you can discover on a walk through the bougie Bergmannkiez.
Between Gneisenaustraße, Mehringdamm, Südstern and Fidicinstraße, a well-kept neighborhood of old buildings in stretches out right in the middle of the former Kreuzberg SW 61 area. Along Bergmannstraße and its adjoining streets, you get a glimpse of Kreuzberg's versatility and the way of life of its residents - somewhat more sedate than in the wild SO 36 neighborhood, away from the notorious club scene and yet multicultural and lively.
The residential area of the Bergmannkiez was laid out in the second half of the 19th century and is accordingly characterized by typical Wilhelminian architecture. Most of the old buildings here survived the Second World War more or less unscathed, which is why the neighborhood has been mostly preserved in its original form and still exudes Old Berlin flair. On a self-guided walking tour, you can explore the Bergmannkiez and discover interesting architecture, unusual shopping spots, casual street cafes and many historical testimonies.
The Bergmannkiez is best reached via the Mehringdamm subway station (U6, U7). Along the eastern side of Mehringdamm, you first head south toward Bergmannstraße. On Mehringdamm, it's worth taking a look at the backyards of the building - for example the open courtyard of the historic Sarotti-Höfe. The renovated, listed building of the former chocolate factory bears witness to the area's industrial past. As early as 1921, however, Sarotti moved production to another location.
At the next intersection, turn left onto Bergmannstraße. Many small stores with a wide variety of goods are lined up along the promenade, which is not only an excellent place to browse and shop, but also a great locationto stop for a bite to eat in one of the many restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. From vegan burgers to Japanese ramen and Indian curries, exotic restaurants offer dishes from all over the world. Well rested and nourished, the journey continues.
Turning right onto Nostizstraße, you enter directly into one of the most beautiful and best preserved old building districts of Berlin. On Chamissoplatz, an organic farmers' market takes place every Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm, where many producers sell their products from the Berlin-Brandenburg region directly. If you continue walking through Willibald-Alexis-Straße and Kopischstraße, you will reach the historic Tempelhofer Berg water tower. The tower was built in 1887 to 1888 to supply water to the then newly developed residential area. In this historical part of Berlin, you will find small, cozy restaurants, bars and pubs everywhere you look.
Via Fidicinstraße and Friesenstraße, we now head back in the direction of Bergmannstraße, once again passing lots of small restaurants and boutiques. Once there, the Marheineke Market Hall is waiting on the other side of the street. Visitors should best arrive hungry because the market hall offers specialties from all over the world to taste and take home. If you then want to browse further, you can head to the flea marketon the adjacent Marheinekeplatz. This takes place every Saturday and Sunday.
A little further along the eastern course of Bergmannstraße lies the entrance to the first of four adjacent churchyards. TheBergmannstraße churchyards are among the oldest and most important in Berlin and are the final resting places of many well-known personalities who lived in the capital during the 19th century. At Café Strauss, located in an old cemetery chapel, you can enjoy coffee and cake in a special - and not at all macabre - atmosphere.
The way back to the Mehringdamm subway station can either be made via Bergmannstraße or by turning onto Zossener Straße and then left onto Gneisenaustraße, where there are even more international cafés, bars and restaurants.
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Learn all about the district, its neighborhoods and its history. more
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Explore Berlin on foot: Our self-guided walking tours take you to all of the best places in the capital. more