History of Berlin's spectacular trendy district
"Kreuzberg nights are long..." – From the song "Kreuzberger Nächte" (Kreuzberg Nights), an unofficial anthem of West Berlin by Beppo Pohlmann (1978).
Description of the Kreuzberg City and Scene Tour
We begin our city and "scene" tour at the legendary music club SO36. Here, we find ourselves right in the midst of the history of alternative Kreuzberg in the 1980s. On our walk, we visit the most legendary spots and famous pubs of this trendy district. We explore the distinctive architecture of the past that continues to shape the area today. A major focus of the tour is the era of the Berlin Wall—a period that profoundly influenced the district and is epitomized by the aforementioned 1978 song "Kreuzberger Nächte."
The History of Kreuzberg, Berlin
The heart of Kreuzberg was largely built during Berlin's Imperial era. Kreuzberg emerged at the same time as Prenzlauer Berg; while the two districts share many similarities, they also exhibit differences resulting from their divergent histories in East and West Berlin. Since that time, Kreuzberg has often been known for the unrest that frequently occurs on May 1st. The district takes its name from Berlin's old, highest hill—known as the "Kreuzberg" since the 1820s. The Kreuzberg district was officially established in 1920, formed through the merger of the Tempelhof and Upper Friedrich suburbs, along with southern Friedrichstadt and parts of Luisenstadt.
