Before there was SO36—the famous postwar postcode for East Kreuzberg, adopted by the area’s most famous nightclub—there was Luisenstadt, an early nineteenth century extension of the main city named after a Prussian queen. Luisenstadt developed into one of Berlin’s most intensely urban areas, a thriving hub of backyard factories and proletarian communities, department stores and bustling pubs, theatres and cafes.

With the Greater Berlin Act of 1920, Luisenstadt was removed from the city map and divided into the new districts of Mitte and Kreuzberg. Our tour begins at the Luisenstadt Canal and St Michael’s church (named after the Archangel Michael) and traces the area’s fascinating and diverse development through two centuries of industrialisation, division and counter-culture.

We will discuss the famous “Kreuzberger Mix” of the nineteenth century, visit sites related to the Turkish “guestworker” programs of the 196os-70s (including Kottbusser Tor), and explore the anarchist, squat and punk movements that made the Wall years so colourful and distinctive in this district.

About The Tour Leader

Paul Sullivan is a writer and founder of Slow Travel Berlin. He has written several books about Berlin for Rough Guide, Fodors, Wallpaper and National Geographic, as well as articles about the city for The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Telegraph Travel, National Geographic UK, BBC Travel, Afar.com, and many more.

Pricing

€25 per person for 2-3 hours. Private tours and groups can be arranged in advance.

Reviews

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Group Size

2-8

Booking

Contact us at slowtravelberlin@gmail.com or SMS/What’s App + 49 171 122 5973