Exploring Berlin | Hansaviertel
The Hansaviertel is one of Berlin’s most unique neighborhoods. It was almost completely destroyed after World War II, and it became a sort of experiment for modern urban planning in the 1950′s. In response to East Berlin’s massive apartment blocks on the former Stalinallee, the Hansaviertel was based on the idea of a “garden city” where the apartment buildings were separated by large green spaces and lots of trees. 53 architects from 13 countries were invited to design a range of apartment blocks in the Hansaviertel, representing what was then thought to be the “city of tomorrow”. I find the idea of the neighborhood and the urban planning ideas which created the space fascinating. Even though I know practically nothing about architecture, walking the quiet streets of the Hansaviertel almost transports you back in time, and I love that.
Thanks again to Context Travel for inviting me to experience their Divided City tour, I highly recommend it to visitors and Berliners alike.
7 Comments
krystal/village
January 22, 2013these are great pictures, but that map is so so cool!
toytulip
January 23, 2013Hello! We live in Munich and are planning a short (2 days) trip to Berlin at the end of February. What would be the places you would most recommend? There is so much I would like to see, but we need to fit the most of it in the 2 days we’ve got there, so I wouldn’t mind your opinion! :)
Have a great week! :)
Lindsey
January 23, 2013Everything about Berlin is fascinating to me. In a different way than in Paris, I feel like I’m walking through history when I’m ambling along in Berlin – maybe it’s the buildings marked by bullet holes or the modern lodging, like that which you describe above, that reminds us that what lay before it was destroyed. But the streets tell a much different story than in a city like Paris. Next time I visit, I’ll sign up for a tour!
Ashley Ludaescher
January 23, 2013Let’s take a tour together!!
Jeroen
January 24, 2013The Hansaviertel also has one of the very few Oscar Niemeyer buildings in Europe, balanced upon elegant V-shaped pillars. http://www.berliner-hansaviertel.de/niemeyer.htm
Ashley Ludaescher
January 24, 2013That building is really really interesting. Our tour guide said the 5th floor that has lower ceilings was designed as a communal space for all the residents, which seems really unique!
Profil:: Ashley Ludäscher | sisterMAG
April 12, 2013[...] Stadt, die ICH kenne und die eben nicht nur aus Graffiti und heruntergekommenen Ecken besteht: das Hansaviertel im Sonnenlicht, Tempelhof im Herbst und selbst das Stasimuseum sieht auf ihren Bildern sehr [...]