Berlin Trip Overview
The Berlin Modernism Housing Estates were designated a World Heritage Site in 2008, but, over a decade later, they are unknown to most visitors to Berlin. You shouldn’t miss these remarkable examples of new urban and architectural typologies. On our tour we will visit three of the six estates, which were designed by famous architects like Walter Gropius (founder of the “Bauhaus”), Mies van der Rohe and Hans Scharoun. As an historian, book author and experienced guide, I can give you unique insights: You will not only learn about the technical and aesthetic concepts of this architecture, but I will also talk on the social and political background of these buildings. We will cycle mostly through quite side streets and parks, and you get to know Berlin off the beaten track. In addition to the beautifully restored houses dating from the years of the Weimar Republic, when the city of Berlin was particularly progressive, you will explore with me the rougher side of the German capital in its old working-class neighbarhoods.
Additional Info
Duration: 200 to 230 minutes
Starts: Berlin, Germany
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Berlin Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Berlin, , Germany
The Berlin Modernism Housing Estates were designated a World Heritage Site in 2008, but, over a decade later, they are unknown to most visitors to Berlin. You shouldn’t miss these remarkable examples of new urban and architectural typologies. On our tour we will visit three of the six estates, which were designed by famous architects like Walter Gropius (founder of the “Bauhaus”), Mies van der Rohe and Hans Scharoun. As an historian, book author and experienced guide, I can give you unique insights: You will not only learn about the technical and aesthetic concepts of this architecture, but I will also talk on the social and political background of these buildings. We will cycle mostly through quite side streets and parks, and you get to know Berlin off the beaten track. In addition to the beautifully restored houses dating from the years of the Weimar Republic, when the city of Berlin was particularly progressive, you will explore with me the rougher side of the German capital in its old working-class neighbarhoods.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Berlin, Berlin
We will visit three of the Berlin Modernism Housing Estates: The “Siemenstadt” in Berlin-Spandau with buildings by Walter Gropius, the “Siedlung Schillerpark” in Berlin-Wedding, and the “Weiße Stadt” in Berlin-Reinickendorf. On our tour we will also see the only social housing estates designed by Mies van der Rohe. More over you will get to know the “Volksparks” (“people’s parks”) Rehberge and Jungfernheide, two of the biggest and most interesting parks of the Weimar Republic: Here it becomes visible, how important the interaction of green spaces and architecture has been for the town planning of the 1920s.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Reinickendorf, Reinickendorf, Berlin
The “Weiße Stadt” (white city) is characterised by the clear forms of the International Style. Although the buildings are not part of the “Bauhaus” legacy in a stricter sense, the principles of the Bauhaus have been realised here in a very consequent way: a simple and at the same time elegant design, rational floor plans and a lot of utilities like shops and cafés, which are an integral part of the complex.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Wedding, Wedding, Berlin
The “Siedlung Schillerpark” has been designed by Bruno Taut. The plans of this housing estates have been inspired by the building of the so called “Amsterdam school”, the most important trend in Dutch architecture during the early 1920s.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Siemensstadt, Berlin, Germany
The “Siemensstadt” has been designed by Hans Scharoun, who became Berlin’s most important architect during the Cold War. Here you learn to know about his beginnings as well as about his cooperation with other famous architects during the Weimar Republic, like Walter Gropius. The transition from the residential area to the adjacent park is especially remarkable.
Duration: 30 minutes
