Neukölln (Berlin) | |
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Location ![]() | |
Coat of arms ![]() | |
State | Germany |
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Region | East Germany |
Neukölln is a neighborhood of Berlin.
To know
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Berlin_Hufeisensiedlung_UAV_04-2017.jpg/220px-Berlin_Hufeisensiedlung_UAV_04-2017.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/Gropiusstadt_closeup.jpg/220px-Gropiusstadt_closeup.jpg)
The district of Neukölln proper occupies the northern part of the district of the same name. This area between the railway ring (Ringbahn) to the south and the Hermannplatz to the north is characterized by old buildings from the end of the 19th century in an eclectic style, called in Germany "Wilhelminian", after Kaiser Wilhelm II who remained on the throne from 1888 to 1918. There are also later Jugendstil buildings.
Elsewhere the neighborhood's appearance varies greatly, from mundane apartment buildings in heavily urbanized areas in the north, to single-family homes in the south that you will see if you take the bus from Schönefeld Airport. The whole area immediately south of the railway ring has a heterogeneous character; large condominium complexes alternate with single-family houses and still rural landscapes.
The Britz neighborhood is home to two historic examples of 20th century housing such as the Hufeisensiedlung (literally: horseshoe settlement) designed in the 20s of the twentieth century by the architect Bruno Taut and the one called "Gropiusstadt" designed 40 years later by Walter Gropius.
After the end of the Second World War, Neukölln found himself in the American sector. The Berlin Wall separated it from the nearby district of Treptow which belonged to East Berlin. Wedding and Gesundbrunnen, the erection of the wall in 1961 made Neukölln less attractive and many of its residents preferred to move to Charlottenburg and in adjacent areas. They were replaced by more disadvantaged social classes. The cheap rents attracted immigrant families, especially from the Turkey and from Middle East. After the fall of the Wall, Neukölln has greatly appreciated but is still a problem area. In the meetings of the city council, the school failures of the children of immigrants who interrupt their studies very early are still discussed, problems connected with drug dealing and the rise of Islamic fundamentalism.
Neukölln is now a less touristy area than its neighbor Kreuzberg but for this very reason it has a more authentic air and perhaps some may find it more sympathetic. New hotels have sprung up in its territory, including the gigantic Estrel Hotel which with its 1,225 rooms is the largest hotel in Germany.
Geographical notes
Neukölln is located in the southern part of Berlin, between the districts Tempelhof-Schöneberg West, Treptow-Köpenick to the east and Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg North.
How to orient yourself
Neighborhoods
How to get
The metro line № , coming from Spandau, crosses the district of Neukölln to terminate in Rudow, a town not far from the airport. Stop at Hermannplatz station where it also crosses
coming from Reinickendorf district and passing through the center (Alexanderplatz station).
How to get around
What see
- 1 Hufeisensiedlung (Blaschkoallee station
). A large residential complex built in the 1920s on a project by Bruno Taut, it constitutes an architectural manifesto of the Weimarian era and is included among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- 2 Britzer Garten. A large park built for the 1985 federal gardening exhibition, it offers the opportunity to spend a relaxing day.
- 3 Körnerpark (Karl-Marx-Straße station
). Small park in neo-baroque style, it surprises for its elegance in the center of a working-class district.
- 4 Richardkiez (Karl-Marx-Straße station
). Small neighborhood that corresponds to the ancient village of Rixdorf, later incorporated by the urban expansion. It still preserves the small houses of the Bohemian settlers and amazes with its quiet and idyllic atmosphere despite being in the center of a degraded area.
- 5 Hasenheide (Hermannplatz station
). Large park located on the border with Kreuzberg, known for drug dealing but also for the presence of large lawns where it is possible to lie in the sun.
What to do
- 1 Neukölln Thermal Baths (Stadtbad Neukölln), Ganghoferstr. 3, ☎ 49 30 22190011.
Shopping
- 1 Türkischer Markt in Berlin Neukölln, Maybachufer, Neukölln.
free access.
Tue and Fri 11: 00-18: 30. Berlin's easternmost open market mixed with stalls, with many Turkish traders.
How to have fun
Shows
- 1 Neukölln Opera House (Neuköllner Oper), Karl-Marx-Straße 131-133 (Karl-Marx-Straße station on the line
).
Locals
- 2 Loftus Hall, Maybachufer 48.
- 3 SchwuZ, Rollbergstraße 26, ☎ 49 30 57702270.
Fri-Sat 11 pm-9am. Great gay nightclub.
Where to eat
Moderate prices
- 1 Musashi, Kottbusser Damm 102, ☎ 49 30 6932042.
- 2 Sahara, Reuterstr. 56.
Mon-Sun 11: 00-01: 00. Sudanese cuisine restaurant.
- 3 Café Dritter Raum, Hertzbergstr. 14.
- 4 Al-Andalos, Sonnenallee 40. Stand with Lebanese cuisine snacks.
- 5 Gyros Express, Johannisthaler Chaussee 264.
Average prices
- 6 Trattoria La Terrazza, Steinbockstr. 20, ☎ 49 30 68053745.
Where stay
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Estrel_Berlin.jpg/220px-Estrel_Berlin.jpg)
Moderate prices
- 1 2A Hostel Berlin, Saale Straße 76 (
Neukölln), ☎ 49 30 63226330, fax: 49 30 632263313, @[email protected].
- 2 RIXPACK Hostel, Karl-Marx Straße 75, Neukölln ("Rathaus Neukölln" station on the
), ☎ 49 30 5471 5140. Check in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00.
High prices
- 3 Estrel Berlin, Sonnenallee 225, ☎ 49 30 6831 0.