Berlin Trip Overview
About 30 minutes north of Berlin is a remarkable architectural ensemble that symbolizes the ups and downs of German history in the 20th century. The UNESCO World Heritage Site “ADGB-Bundesschule Bernau”, planned by Bauhaus director Hannes Meyer, the former Goebbels-Villa at Bogensee and the “Waldsiedlung” near Wandlitz for the GDR leadership stand for the Weimar Republic and the two German dictatorships. On our tour we will visit these three complexes (only from the outside) and talk about how these phases of German history are reflected in the buildings. As a historian, I have researched both German Communism and National Socialism and written several books on it. Together, we immerse ourselves in these dramatic times and experience places with a rich history, in which the “topography of power” emerges.
Additional Info
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Starts: Berlin, Germany
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Berlin Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Berlin, Berlin, Germany
About 30 minutes north of Berlin is a remarkable architectural ensemble that symbolizes the ups and downs of German history in the 20th century. The UNESCO World Heritage Site “ADGB-Bundesschule Bernau”, planned by Bauhaus director Hannes Meyer, the former Goebbels-Villa at Bogensee and the “Waldsiedlung” near Wandlitz for the GDR leadership stand for the Weimar Republic and the two German dictatorships. On our tour we will visit these three complexes (only from the outside) and talk about how these phases of German history are reflected in the buildings. As a historian, I have researched both German Communism and National Socialism and written several books on it. Together, we immerse ourselves in these dramatic times and experience places with a rich history, in which the “topography of power” emerges.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Bauhaus Denkmal Bundesschule Bernau, Hannes-Meyer-Campus 9, 16321 Bernau, Brandenburg Germany
We look at the former federal school of the ADGB, the only large complex in Berlin-Brandenburg, which actually belongs to the “Bauhaus” architecture and was recently included in the World Heritage List
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Bogensee, 16348 Wandlitz, Germany
At the Bogensee we visit the site of the former FDGB school, a massive complex for the GDR union, which was built next to the former country house of Nazi Propaganda Minister Goebbels. This country house is the last fully preserved residential building belonging to a member of the Nazi elite.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Waldsiedlung, 16321 Bernau bei Berlin, Germany
In the middle of the forest between Bernau and Wandlitz we visit the area of the former “Waldsiedlung”. It was built between 1958 and 1960 on the Soviet model as a highly secure and completely shielded from the outside world “gated community” for the state and party leadership of the GDR. We will look at former Politburo members’ houses, community houses and security installations.
Duration: 45 minutes
