Millions of people are on the move every day in Berlin. They get off buses and trains, heading to work or going shopping. In the process, they lose sight of Berlin. We’ll take an especially close look, enjoying Berlin to the fullest! Today’s stop: Alexandrinenstraße… It can't be that far from here ... Where on earth is it?! I'm looking for the geographic centre of Berlin. It should be in Kreuzberg – in Alexandrinenstrasse, to be precise. That's the street I'm strolling down, towards the south. Lo and behold – I discover it, the stone that marks the centre of Berlin. But my joy is slightly tempered: There's a small construction site around the marker and a tarpaulin right next to the central point shows me that it really has been hidden recently. What's going on here? A sign gives me an insight: They're installing an emission measuring system here to collect data on radiation and pollutants in the air and to help Berlin on its way to becoming a climate-neutral city. And they're doing this right here: 52° 30' 0", 4 north latitude, 13° 24' 15", 1 east longitude. There's a lot more to discover in the area around the central point. Two tips from me:
Linger in the Open...
As the weather's great, I choose this option. After a walk along the idyllic Landwehrkanal, I go into the beergarden of the restaurant Brachvogel. A good decision: The food is delicious and I managed to get a wicker beach chair in the sun. And to finish off, I go for a round of minigolf. With its many benches and meadows, the Waldeckpark north of Oranienstrasse is equally suited for relaxation. Playgrounds and sports areas are available for children, while a ping-pong table invites adults to be active themselves. Interesting fact: The area was laid out at the beginning of the 17th century as a cemetery for plague victims. But don't worry – nothing of this can be seen or felt anymore.
...or Immerse Yourself in Berlin's Culture
The Berlinische Galerie is only 10 minutes from the central point of Berlin. The building's courtyard alone is an eyecatcher: One's attention is drawn by the yellow letter plates. And there is a lot to discover inside, too: To mark the 100th birthday of Dadaism, the gallery of Modern Art is organising the "Dada Africa" exhibition from the beginning of August.
Please note: The Berlinische Galerie is closed until 25 May. The lighting system of the rooms is being modernised.
Also appealing to the eye and easy to reach on foot: the Jewish Museum. Two millennia of German-Jewish history are presented in an impressive zigzag-shaped building designed by Daniel Libeskind. For more insider tips on Kreuzberg and other Berlin districts, check out the "Going Local Berlin" app. P.S. For those who thought that the centre of Berlin is located in the district of Mitte ('centre'), or maybe even near the metro station Stadtmitte ('city centre'): This interchange station only received its current name in 1936 for the Berlin Olympics. Before this, it was known as "Friedrichstadt". The name change to Stadtmitte merely presented the bustling Friedrichstrasse as the city centre to visitors to the Olympics. Written by Kathrin Hoffmann
