Berlin's Many Attractions Lure Global Design Enthusiasts

© visitBerlin, photo: Dagmar Schwelle. Brandenburger Tor Regierungsviertel.

There is no disputing the fact that Germany’s capital is at the heart of art, design, architecture, crafts, and many other creatively fueled fields. One look at Berlin and all the events held here annually, and you know any design aficionado will enjoy their time visiting the city. Well, here are a few venues to further fire up your artsy inclinations. Some of these older locations have added to Berlin being top of mind for visitors and residents. And there a few new additions to add to your list too!

Humboldt Forum

Europe’s largest and most significant cultural construction project is completed and is now open to the public. Located adjacent to Museum Island in Berlin’s historic center, the Franco Stelladesigned full-size reproduction of the former 16th century Hohenzollern palace, formerly located at the same site, replicates three of the original baroque facades, with a minimalist fourth façade, a massive, covered courtyard and a state-of-theart interior. The Humboldt Forum is Berlin’s new highlight and landmark and is designed as a unique venue for the dialogue of world cultures. The original palace was damaged during WWII and later demolished by the GDR system to make room for the East German Parliament, which in turn was demolished after the city’s reunification. The palace is opening as a new cosmopolitan space for culture, art, and science. The Humboldt Forum features almost 323,000 square feet of exhibition space, including four permanent exhibitions, workshop spaces for cultural education, the Lustgarten outdoor space and seven restaurants ranging from bistro-style to gourmet dining. Some 1,000 events per year will eventually take place at the Humboldt Forum, underscoring the institution’s purpose of being a space for discourse and culture.

New National Gallery

After completing a six-year renovation, Berlin’s Neue Nationalgalerie (New National Gallery) has reopened. The iconic steel and glass building is a landmark of modern architecture. Designed by Mies van der Rohe and completed in 1968 as a museum for 20th century art, the New National Gallery was the architect’s last building erected in Germany after WWII. He died shortly after the opening. Van der Rohe’s modernist vision of creating fluid, open spaces is reflected in the design of the glazed upper pavilion of the gallery. The Neue Nationalgalerie not only stands as an icon of modernism, but as testament to a visionary architect of the 20th century. No major work had been done on the building since its opening. Renovations began in 2015 and were overseen by David Chipperfield Architects, to repair all damaged features and correct serious safety deficits, while preserving the visual aspect of the building.

© visitBerlin, photo: Chris Martin Scholl. Humboldt Forum.

House of One: Three Religions, One House

Berlin is soon to become home to something truly unique. Jews, Christians, and Muslims are planning to build a house of worship here–one that brings a synagogue, a church, and a mosque together under one roof. The three separate sections will be linked by a communal room in the center of the building. This will serve as a meeting place, where worshippers and members of the public can come together and learn more about the religions and each other. The House of One is a contemporary expression of religious life and as such must be expressed in an equally modern architectural language.

National Monument to Freedom and Unity

Now under construction in front of the new Humboldt Forum, Germany’s National Monument to Freedom and Unity will be dedicated to the men and women who peacefully fought for the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, bringing about the reunification of Berlin and Germany. Designed as a kinetic bowl, the monument resembles a seesaw, gently shifting as visitors gather on top of it. The Milla & partnerdesigned 164 x 59 feet sculpture symbolizes the power of joint action, communication, and participation.

Museum of the 20th Century at Kulturforum

Berlin’s most interesting construction site is located at the Kulturforum between the Neue Nationalgalerie and the Berlin Philharmonic Hall, where in the next few years the Museum of the 20th Century will be built. The new museum will be designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, and will—eventually together with the New National Gallery—display collections of 20th century art.

These are but five stops to your itinerary when you visit Berlin next. There are so many more so remember to check in on the Visit Berlin website to see what is open during your time there. Where will you go?

Read more on www.travelerandtourist.com Nature Edition Mar-Apr 2022