Friedrichshain

Welcome to Friedrichshain, a district where history, hipsters, and concrete converge in a uniquely Berlin symphony. This is an area defined by its contrasts: the monumental 'workers' palaces' of the socialist era stand just…

We begin at the East Side Gallery, the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall and perhaps the most iconic landmark in Friedrichshain. This 1.3-kilometer section of concrete was transformed in 1990 into an open-air gallery,…

A short walk from the river brings us to the RAW-Gelände, a former train repair yard (Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk) that has become the creative heart of Friedrichshain. This sprawling complex of rusted brick buildings and…

Heading back toward the river, we encounter Holzmarkt 25, a project that feels like a 'secret adult playground.' Built on the site of the former Bar 25, this is a cooperative urban village made largely of recycled materials and…

Moving into the residential core of Friedrichshain, we reach Boxhagener Platz, affectionately known as 'Boxi' by the locals. This green square is the social center of the 'Kiez' (neighborhood). …

For a different historical perspective, we visit Volkskammer, a restaurant that acts as a culinary time capsule. Located near the Ostbahnhof, it is decorated to look exactly like a high-end dining room in the German Democratic…

Our final stop is the Oberbaumbrücke, arguably the most beautiful bridge in Berlin. This double-deck bridge, with its distinctive red-brick gothic turrets, connects Friedrichshain in the east with Kreuzberg in the west. …

As we conclude our journey through Friedrichshain, take a final look at the skyline, where the TV Tower punctuates the horizon. We have traveled from the reflective concrete of the East Side Gallery to the industrial creative…