Schöneberg’s charming Winterfeldtplatz is home to one of Berlin’s largest and liveliest Wochenmarkts…
On most days of the week Schöneberg’s Winterfeldtplatz— named after Prussian General Hans Karl von Winterfeldt, a close confidante of Frederick The Great—is a pleasant, leafy square, inhabited mostly by skaters, strolling locals and the occasional knot of tourists.
The majority of the buildings around the square were destroyed in the war leading to a curious architectural mix today, ranging from the 60s-style social housing that runs along one side to distinctive landmarks like the red-brick St. Matthias church (one of the few free-standing Catholic churches in Berlin), and some residential houses (and associated buildings) constructed by renowned local architect Hinrich Baller.
There was apparently a market held here as long ago as 1890, but the current one has been held every Saturday since 1990, and on Wednesdays too in the last few years. Initially there were just a few market stalls, but over the last three decades or so the number has swelled to more than 250, making it one of the largest and most diverse markets in Berlin.
Open from around 7am, the market begins to really buzz around 10am, its aisles increasingly clogged with locals shopping for their weekly meat, fruit and veg, tourists browsing the clothes and food stalls, and hungry types in search of Frühstück and coffee.
One of the great things about Winterfeldtplatz is that it caters for a broad clientele. You can breakfast (or lunch) on currywurst and freshly-pressed orange juice; indulge in cheap and tasty crepes and gözleme; or enjoy grilled fish treats, or buy some home-made marmalades boutique chocolates, fresh Italian pasta, salami and chorizo…
Image by Fridolin freudenfett, via …