DDR Museum, Berlin
This small interactive museum offers a vivid portrayal of life in the former German Democratic Republic (DDR), commonly known as East Germany; an insight into the culture of a people living under strict communist rule, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a bygone way of life. Situated in the former government district of the DDR, along the banks of the River Spree, it lies opposite the Berlin Cathedral.
Dr. Stephan Wolle, the museum's director, established this institution to delve into the cultural aspects of the four decades of German communism, with the aim of dispelling stereotypes and clich茅s from the minds of its visitors. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated to objectively present facts while subjectively documenting personal experiences.
The permanent exhibition is divided into 16 sections, each focusing on a facet of life in East Germany, including housing, work, leisure, fashion, and culture (pay particular attention to DDR design in a "house" filled with authentic DDR items). Additionally, visitors can gain a real-time understanding of the pervasive surveillance by the infamous secret police (the Stasi), experience life in the typical prefabricated communist housing known as Plattenbau, and even take a virtual ride in the iconic Trabant 鈥� a primitive two-stroke engine car with a 16-year waiting list, which was the only car the average East German citizen could own.
Tips:
Consider combining with the Stasimuseum, located on the former grounds of the DDR Ministry for State Security, to gain a deeper understanding of the bizarre aspects of life in East Germany. For souvenir junkies, a stop at the nearby AMPELMANN store is a must!
Dr. Stephan Wolle, the museum's director, established this institution to delve into the cultural aspects of the four decades of German communism, with the aim of dispelling stereotypes and clich茅s from the minds of its visitors. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated to objectively present facts while subjectively documenting personal experiences.
The permanent exhibition is divided into 16 sections, each focusing on a facet of life in East Germany, including housing, work, leisure, fashion, and culture (pay particular attention to DDR design in a "house" filled with authentic DDR items). Additionally, visitors can gain a real-time understanding of the pervasive surveillance by the infamous secret police (the Stasi), experience life in the typical prefabricated communist housing known as Plattenbau, and even take a virtual ride in the iconic Trabant 鈥� a primitive two-stroke engine car with a 16-year waiting list, which was the only car the average East German citizen could own.
Tips:
Consider combining with the Stasimuseum, located on the former grounds of the DDR Ministry for State Security, to gain a deeper understanding of the bizarre aspects of life in East Germany. For souvenir junkies, a stop at the nearby AMPELMANN store is a must!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Berlin. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
DDR Museum on Map
Sight Name: DDR Museum
Sight Location: Berlin, Germany (See walking tours in Berlin)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Berlin, Germany (See walking tours in Berlin)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Berlin, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Berlin
Creating your own self-guided walk in Berlin is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tiergarten Walking Tour
Known for the huge park of the same name, which once was a royal hunting ground, the central district of Tiergarten (German for 鈥淎nimal Garden鈥�) is home to the Berlin Zoo, the Victory Column with its winged statue and the lively, lakeside Caf茅 am Neuen See.
Begin your exploration at Postdamer Platz, the historic central square of Berlin, once regarded in the same way as Piccadilly Circus... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Begin your exploration at Postdamer Platz, the historic central square of Berlin, once regarded in the same way as Piccadilly Circus... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Third Reich Walking Tour
The 鈥淭hird Reich鈥� and 鈥淣azi Germany鈥� are the common English names for Germany between 1933 and 1945, when it was a totalitarian state led by Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers鈥� Party. For any visitor to Berlin, the Nazi surrender that ended World War II is still a point of interest, but matching locations to those moments of history can be a challenge. On this special... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Berlin Food Walking Tour
While Berlin may not be considered a typical foodie destination yet, recent years saw a growing number of decent places to eat, serving both German and international cuisine. At some point, the city has even earned itself the title of a vegetarian capital of the world, contrary to what one may have expected. Amid all this renaissance in creativity and culture, coupled with the influx of the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Alexanderplatz Walking Tour
One of Berlin鈥檚 cosmopolitan hearts, Alexanderplatz (or Alexander Square) is a true hive of activity. There is always something going on here: Christmas markets, Easter fairs, buskers, performances, Oktoberfest, and the list is countless. Easily accessible, with lots of transport connections and all manner of drink and food outlets, it鈥檚 a great place to hang around, take photos, and enjoy... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Museum Island Walking Tour
One of Berlin鈥檚 most visited attractions, the Museum Island ("Museumsinsel") complex was established by order of King Frederick William IV of Prussia in 1841 and houses several world-famous museums kept in close vicinity of each other. The island itself is spectacular for a walk, with wonderful architecture, statues, gardens and trees, so enjoy the atmosphere and make at least a day... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Berlin Introduction Walking Tour
The German capital, Berlin, is known for its turbulent past. Today, this sprawling metropolis is filled with a mix of historical resonance and modernity manifested in creative industries, popular media, and diverse cultural tourism.
The first written records of settlements in the present-day Berlin area date back to the late 12th century. In 1157, the region came under German rule as part of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
The first written records of settlements in the present-day Berlin area date back to the late 12th century. In 1157, the region came under German rule as part of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Berlin Mementos: 18 Souvenir Shopping Ideas for Travelers
Too many people and for very different reasons strove to set their foot in Berlin over the course of the 20th century. Today, the city proves just as luring a destination for numerous travelers who want to come and enjoy themselves in this fascinating European capital and, perhaps, bring home...
Best Bars in Kreuzberg, Berlin
Kreuzberg and "Kreuzk枚lln" - the area where Kreuzberg and Neuk枚lln meet, mostly along the canal in east Kreuzberg and north of Sonnenall茅e in Neuk枚lln - has a constantly and rapidly evolving bar culture that makes it one of the trendiest alternative evening and nightlife spots in...
Best Food in Kreuzberg, Berlin
Kreuzberg is known for having great cheap, street food, particularly of the Middle Eastern variety. On almost every corner you can find a kebab or falafel shop, although the trick is knowing which to choose! While you can typically get a good, tasty wrap for 鈧�2.50-4, the quality, quantity and...
Best Caf茅s and Coffee Houses of Berlin
Cafes have a certain refinery and elegance that pubs lack; there is a mellowness that is rarely found in bars and clubs, and an ease and tranquillity that is not to be found in restaurants with their steaming kitchens, heavy plates, clattering cutlery, constant complaints and corrections and,...
Best Cafes in Kreuzberg, Berlin
Traditionally, you may expect the cafes around Kottbusser Tor and throughout Kreuzberg to be dominated by ethnic Turks, particularly men, in rooms that do much to resemble the cafes of Istanbul.
More recently, however, the ethnically Turkish and Arab communities that have typically inhabited...
A Self-Guided Food Walk in Berlin
Repeatedly scarred throughout its long and often depressing past, today's Berlin has made a comeback as a major bohemian hub which lures artists and creatively-minded folk from all over the globe in their droves. It may well not be considered a typical foodie destination yet, but in recent...