Berlin: Memory & Modernism
A route through the scars and healing of Berlin. From the fluid modernism of the Kulturforum to the sharp voids of Libeskind, exploring how architecture processes memory.
Curated Spots
6 LocationsNeue Nationalgalerie
The Start. Pure modernism. A floating steel roof over a glass hall. It is the ultimate expression of "universal space" and transparency.
Open location in Google MapsBerliner Philharmonie
The Organic. A golden, tent-like structure designed from the inside out. The orchestra is in the center, surrounded by vineyard-style seating.
Open location in Google MapsBerlin State Library
The Flow. Across the street from the Philharmonie, this vast reading landscape is a masterpiece of fluid space and light.
Open location in Google MapsTopography of Terror
The Wound. The site of the Gestapo headquarters. While Zumthor’s design was demolished, the site remains a powerful open wound in the city fabric.
Open location in Google MapsJewish Museum
The Void. A zigzagging zinc structure cut by empty spaces (voids) representing the erasure of Jewish life. Architecture as narrative and trauma.
Open location in Google MapsNeue Wache
The Silence. The central memorial for victims of war. A single oculus in the ceiling illuminates the sculpture of a mother holding her dead son.
Open location in Google MapsSample eSIM Plans for Germany
Stay connected for maps and architecture photos. Here are popular options travelers use:
Plans shown are examples. Compare all providers to find the best option for your trip.
Survival Tips & Hacks
Lunch at the Philharmonie
The canteen at the Philharmonie is open to the public and offers good food in an architectural icon. A local secret.
Walking the Line
Along the route near Topography of Terror, look for the double cobblestone line in the ground—it marks the former path of the Berlin Wall.
