Exciting and entertaining city tour / architectural tour through the colourful splendour of Bruno Taut
"Despite a very skilful development plan that largely spared the tree population (...)", it took the support of even Prussian government officials to push through the building permit. Martin Wagner, a city councillor for construction, was even sent to prison twice.
Image gallery
Waldsiedlung Zehlendorf (Papageiensiedlung). Architekturführung von Christian Fessel / Mann mit Hut Touren
Waldsiedlung Zehlendorf (Papageiensiedlung) und Umgegend. Architekturführung von Christian Fessel / Mann mit Hut Touren
Unterhaltsame Architekturvermittlung von Architekturführer Christian Fessel / Mann mit Hut Touren
This tour will be held in German language!
Individual English language tours can be arranged as a private tour.
And what is actually a "roof war"?
There are long-forgotten, curious and unknown facts to be discovered.
Bruno Taut's "Theory of Colours".
The Horseshoe Settlement Britz and, even more intensively, the Falkenberg Settlement: both settlements are seen as the way to Bruno Taut's local colour masterpiece.
Alternating, polychrome colouring of the façades and building components. The use of colour is not an end in itself, but an expression of an urban planning concept harmonizing with nature and landscape.
Otto Rudolf Salvisberg & Hugo Häring
The two competitors also built in colour, of course. Rather unusual for both of them.
And before that?
Two fascinating building projects took place before part of the forest had to make way for the Waldsiedlung.
Parts of which can still be admired today. On our tour.
Today:
The UNESCO World Heritage Site "Settlements of Berlin Modernism" can celebrate its 15th anniversary in 2023.
Back then, the Waldsiedlung was supposed to be included, but things turned out differently.
Now it may actually be included as the seventh settlement with World Heritage status. Whether this will happen in the anniversary year will become clear in the summer of 2026.
You can find detailed information about the tour HERE (in German language).
Learn why City Councilor for Construction Martin Wagner nearly ended up in prison and how Bruno Taut made nature glow with polychromatic facades. And what was actually here before the settlement? Join us on a relaxed, informative journey through modernism.
You will be guided by Christian Fessel / Mann mit Hut Touren, the long-time head of the Information Centre for the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Siedlungen der Berliner Moderne - Großsiedlung Siemensstadt / Ringsiedlung Siemensstadt":
"As always with my city tours, both historical and social aspects are addressed.
Not dry, boring and crammed with numbers, but relaxed, entertaining and interesting for everyone."
Additional information
Registration is required! Please use the link on the tour description page.
You can find the detailed description of this special tour, all dates, and the registration form here.
Duration: About 2.5 hours.
Price: €25 per participant (unfortunately, no discounts).
Payment before the tour in cash (please bring exact change if possible), by card, or digitally using a compatible smartwatch or smartphone
Registration is absolutely required!
Please use the link on the tour description page.
Organizer:
Accessibility
Please ask for specific details.
