On iHeartBerlin, we’ve already put forward arguments for claims like Berlin is a Psycho and so on, but today, I’d like to tell you for once what Berlin is not, although I might have thrown some such accusations in the past. Berlin is not a liar. Or at least Kreuzberg isn’t.
Leaving the dubious honesty of its inhabitants aside, Kreuzberg stays steadfast and true. I’ve checked. And now you can, too. Have you ever wondered why does the U1 like to trick us into believing we’d be seeing some gates (“Tor” in German)? And then you get out on Kotti and what you actually see (and smell) is so different from the Brandenburger Tor you even doubt you’re still in the same city. Get to know Kreuzberg with these pictures from the turn of the 19th century!
The images provide an answer to a lot of questions I know I’ve been struggling with. The charming picture of Hallesches Tor in 1901 explain that the “Tor” (gate) used to be a real deal. And Urbanhafen was as much of a “Hafen” (harbor) as it now is a place for hanging out. But the most alluring picture of all is definitely the one with the view on Kreuzberg from Großbeerenstraße. Not only is it a perfectly dreamy, as if Instagram ready pic, but it also emphasizes the actual “Berg” (mountain) in Kreuzberg. Definitely worth taking a look!
Hallesches Tor railway station under construction, Berlin, 1901, photo: Waldemar Titzenthaler
Berlin, Urbanhafen when it was still an actual harbor around 1900
Kreuzberg in Berlin, seen from Großbeerenstraße, 1887, photo: F. Albert Schwartz
The square Schlesisches Tor in 1880’s Kreuzberg, Berlin. Later, the subway station Schlesisches Tor would be built at this place, photo: Friedrich Albert Schwartz
Viaduct of the new U2 line of Berlin’s subway, near Gleisdreieck station, 1902
Berlin’s historical train station Görlitzer Bahnhof in 1928. After its destruction in became a park.
Hallesches Tor, 1894, photo: Robert Prager
Oranienbrücke (bridge) crossing the Luisenstädtischen Kanal (canal) in Berlin, 1925. The canal was filled up and turned into a park later, the bridge is now Oranienplatz. photo: Waldemar Titzenthaler
View down Gitschiner Straße, looking east, during the time of the construction of Berlin’s elevated train, the modern U1 subway line. ca. 1900