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Berlin

Tacheles Art House Culture - #02

"It was after one pm and I wanted to do the walking tour first-up
because it is so good to get orientated for the city before you get started sightseeing"

"Even though I had a sore leg from wandering around Berlin for hours
while making phone calls to try and find the hostel,
I wanted to get up and I am glad I did because it was a fantastic day!!
Our four hour tour lasted eight hours but it didn't seem like that at all"

The Tacheles arthouse is a cultural centre in the ruins of a former department store
This building is a favourite destination for tourists trying to catch the last of Berlin's famed
but fast-disappearing "morbid charm"

Tacheles provides exhibition space for contemporary artists,
a forum for the experimental theatre scene,
and a cinema ("high end 54") that specialises in seldom-shown films
It also houses 20 studios and workshops

The building was originally part of the Friedrichstadtpassagen, built between 1907 and 1909
under the supervision of the Imperial Building Officer, Franz Ahrens
This luxurious department store was the last great shopping arcade to be built in Europe

It was used by the AEG from 1928 until 1934, when it was taken over by the Nazis
In 1943, the building was hit by bombs
In 1983, it was partially demolished
In 1990, the Tacheles Artists' Initiative squatted the ruins,
and the building was issued with a protection order

(two photos)