Special Place: Rosenthaler Strasse 39

The Hackesche Höfe, a complex of eight interconnected courtyards in Jugdenstil supporting a wide range of shops, is a tourist favourite in Berlin Mitte. However, a whole different and more intriguing world can be entered next to its main entrance, at Rosenthaler Strasse 39. A small gateway next to Kino Central leads to an alley adorned with street art, containing some must-sees for the alternative urban cityhopper.

Historically, the alley used to house Otto Weidt’s Workshop for the Blind, a refuge for blind Jews, during the 1940s. The small Museum Blindenwerkstatt informs you further about this; the Gedenkstätte Stille Helden lets you experience more Jewish testimonies of this era.

Further down the alley, you will find the Haus Schwarzenberg, a seemingly dilapidated three-story building that houses some rather remarkable artistic initiatives. A graffiti-clad staircase at the back of the street leads to two that are most worthy of checking out to get a firm grip of the spirit of Berlin.

The first floor houses Neurotitan, a shop which offers amongst other curiosities alternative comic books, art publications and independent cd releases — a madhouse for collectors and heaven on earth to provide you with an original gift. At the back of the store you will find an artspace, which at the moment has City Of Strangers on display, an exhibition by “der Tizian des Techno” Jim Avignon. His works portray the nightlife of Berlin throughout the past three decades in a colourful, almost fairytale-like way.

On the second floor you can enter the clothing store Stockx, with a selection of alternative independent designerwear for both men and women. Here you will find a collection of garments that do not go crazy with prints and colours, but experiment with cuts and materials. Espcially noteworthy are the exquisite vests. Is it a madder type of fashion that you are on the lookout for? Then by all means swing by the aptly titled Waahnsinn (Rosa-Luxemburg-Strasse 17) before travelling to another part of town. Here you will find excellent vintage clothing and accessories with a twist.

Links: http://www.museum-blindenwerkstatt.de/, http://www.gedenkstaette-stille-helden.de, http://haus-schwarzenberg.org/en/, http://www.waahnsinn-berlin.blogspot.de, http://www.neurotitan.de, http://www.stokx.de