Homage to Martin Wagner: An exciting and entertaining discovery tour through the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Spandau - Siemensstadt
Man with a Hat Tours: “The ‘Golden Twenties’ of the Weimar Republic, or ‘Babylon Berlin’: this tour takes place during this exciting era. You can still feel the energy today.”
Image gallery
Eine Wohnzeile von Paul Rudolf Henning. Architekturführung von Christian Fessel | Mann mit Hut Touren
Die ungewöhnlichen Balkone einer Wohnzeile von Hugo Häring. Architekturführung von Christian Fessel | Mann mit Hut Touren
Detail einer Wohnzeile in der "Ringsiedlung Siemensstadt". Architekturführung von Christian Fessel | Mann mit Hut Touren
Architekturführer Christian Fessel | Mann mit Hut Touren
100+ Years of Greater Berlin and the Ever-Present Topic: Housing. Quality of Life.
Light. Air. Sun.
“The Conductor of the Cosmopolitan City – Martin Wagner and the New Berlin.”
He was recently honored with an exhibition, first at the Red City Hall and then at Charlottenburg City Hall. On this tour, you’ll experience his ideas on social sustainability and public service up close. And if you will: right in the middle of one of the largest open-air architecture exhibitions.
“The 100th anniversary year of Greater Berlin 1920/2020 would not be complete without a tribute to the urban planner and architect Martin Wagner.”
Berlin’s Governing Mayor, Michael Müller, at the opening of the first exhibition.
In 2019, the centennial of the Bauhaus movement was celebrated in Weimar, Dessau, and Berlin. Many people are unaware that Spandau’s Siemensstadt plays a significant role in this.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site “Settlements of Berlin Modernism – Siemensstadt Large-Scale Housing Estate”—sometimes also called the “Siemensstadt Ring Settlement”—boasts a large collection of exceptionally well-preserved Bauhaus architecture from 1930.
This is further enhanced by the interplay with so-called organic architecture. It offers a nearly unique opportunity to compare the two styles within a single construction project.
This exciting and entertaining discovery tour isn’t just about the architectural highlights; it also offers fascinating insights into Berlin around 1930:
- For whom did Martin Wagner design the housing estate, and who actually lived here?
- Did the architects forget about shopping facilities?
- What did Siemens have to do with the project?
- And isn’t the housing estate actually in Charlottenburg?
These and other questions will be answered during a guided tour lasting about two and a half hours. Along the way, there are also many unique features—some of them hidden—to discover in the buildings and green spaces. The tour will also explore the context and background of “Berlin Modernism” and the construction of the housing estate.
Led by Christian Fessel, the long-time director of the Information Center for the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Berlin Modernist Housing Estates – Siemensstadt Large-Scale Housing Estate / Siemensstadt Ring Estate”:
"As always with my city tours, both historical and social aspects will be covered. Not dry, boring, and crammed with numbers, but relaxed, entertaining, and interesting for everyone."
Registration is required.
- Duration: approximately 2.5 hours.
- Price: €25 per participant (unfortunately, no discounts).
- Payment is due shortly before the tour in cash (please bring exact change if possible), by card, or via a compatible smartwatch or smartphone.
Additional information
Accessibility
Please ask for specific details.
Generally, the tour follows paved paths with minimal elevation changes.
The few exceptions to this can be easily adjusted in the itinerary if necessary.
Generally, the tour follows paved paths with minimal elevation changes.
The few exceptions to this can be easily adjusted in the itinerary if necessary.
Participating artists
Christian Fessel
