Kottbusser Tor
Germany
As contrast to the previous Dolce Vita stops, the "Kotti" stand out with it's brutal 1970s architecture, the vibrant drugscene an heavy traffic.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Kottbusser Tor, or 'Kotti' as the locals call it. This is the pulsating heart of Kreuzberg, one of Berlin’s most famous and infamous districts. …
Listen in the app2The Architecture of the NKZ — A Social Experiment
The northern horizon of Kottbusser Tor is dominated by the Neues Kreuzberger Zentrum, or NKZ. Built in the early 1970s, this massive concrete structure was part of an 'urban renewal' project that aimed to modernize the district. …
Listen in the app3SO36 and the Legacy of Punk and Protest
Just a short walk down Oranienstrasse brings us to the legendary SO36 club. This is the 'infamous space' known as the club of the 'sex symbols and party animals' of the 1970s and 80s. …
Listen in the app4Migration and the Turkish-German Synthesis
Kottbusser Tor is the unofficial capital of 'Little Istanbul.' During the 1960s and 70s, Germany required 'extra help' to rebuild after the war, leading to a massive wave of migration from Turkey and Arab nations. Many of these…
Listen in the app5The 'Criminal Hotspot' Myth and Modern Policing
To the outside world, Kotti is often labeled a 'crime hotspot.' This reputation stems from the 80s and 90s when the area was a center for heroin addiction and street-level crime. Today, you will still see a visible police…
Listen in the app6Gentrification and the Battle for Real Estate
The story of modern Kotti is a story of 'real estate.' In the early 2000s, when Germany began to inject money into the area, it was expected to be one of the first districts to heavily gentrify. Property prices have since…
Listen in the app7Sensory Kreuzberg — Street Art and Street Food
Finally, we must celebrate the sensory delights of Kotti. This is the place to 'eat more kebabs' and enjoy the best street food in Berlin. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we finish our walk through Kottbusser Tor, take a final look at the elevated U-Bahn tracks and the massive curve of the NKZ. We have explored the history of the SO36 district, the struggles of the migrant community, and the…
Listen in the app
What is Kottbusser Tor?
Kottbusser Tor is a place in Germany with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Germany |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 52.4998, 13.4170 |
| Last updated |
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