#43

“Mitte“. The German word for middle/centre. What a name for a district, isn´t it? At least you can easily imagine where to find it in Berlin – this is no false friend. But what exactly does Mitte mean, what´s the buzz here, why should you go there? Let´s have a look at it together. We don´t want you to lose your head in all of the sights and not find back home to us anymore.

This view might be known to some of you already as the central station is often the first friend to welcome you on your trip to Berlin. 

Just as well-known are many other main attractions of the capital – all to be found in Mitte: the TV tower at Alexanderplatz, the museum island, the government district, Potsdamer Platz, the Brandenburg Gate, most of the large theatres and Nikolaiviertel as the oldest quarter of Berlin. But as we have already visited all of these beauties, we are having a look at the other treasures Mitte has to offer.

And we don´t have to look around very long! Everybody´s favourite square seems to be Hackescher Markt (two train stations from Berlin central). The weekly market on Thursdays and Saturdays takes place from 9 am until 6 pm and invites everybody to come, look and taste. The neighbourhood around it does not know any opening hours, though. The area is popular among revellers, art students and shopping fans looking for small local brands as well as vintage fashion and the big labels – door to door.

As we are here already, visiting the pitoresque Hackesche Höfe is a must-do. In order to experience Berlin´s art scene, have some freshly brewed coffee or simply admire the colourful tiles of the industrial complex´s walls, protected as a historic site.

The best way to end our small tour through the backyards is to have an aperitif in the patio Rosenhöfe, which is connected to Hackesche Höfe – just please don´t get drunk yet, so you don´t get dizzy when looking at the historic spiral staircase at the exit.

Following Alte Schönhauser Straße we are already right at the heart of the district, the historic Scheunenviertel.

On our way we also pass by Volkskaffeehaus (eng.: the people´s café) of 1890, once social institution for poor men and women who could get food and drink for little money – seperated from the other sex. Nowadays girls and boys can get fine fashion here – even holding hands, if they like.

Should we go to the theatre tonight and watch a show at Volksbühne at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz or have dinner at hip Rosenthaler Platz? Oh, you´re right. The theatres are taking their summer breaks at the moment. So the best thing to do right now is have a fantastic raisin knot or one of the legendary cinammon buns at Zeit für Brot. This organic bakery with transparent bakehouse and a café has several stores in Germany and is literally everybody´s favourite.

Moving further southeast, leaving behind Red Town Hall and the Berlin Cathedral, we reach church Parochialkirche in Klosterstraße. Every day at 9 and 12 am as well as 3 and 6 pm the 52 bells of the only six year old glockenspiel impresses the listener with a new song four times a day. The church´s patio is also worth a visit

Only a short walk away we get to the building complex Alte Münze. It once housed a coin press (german Münze = eng. coin) – thus the name. So what used to be ruled by finance is nowadays dominated by art, giving the large courtyard its soul. The many rooms and event spaces house temporary exhibitions, rave parties all night long, CSD aftershows and dramatic theatre rehearsals. And you shouldn´t miss the beautiful café The Greens. 

After all we have discovered today, one can hardly believe, that our neighbour district is Berlin´s second smallest. Anyway – we have had enough new impressions for today and get back to the city´s smallest district, our home Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg. X-Berg-Duck and live music are always perfect when coping with the best kind of overload in the evening!