Karl-Marx-Allee Block C Nord Berlin

Karl-Marx-Allee, a look into Communist architecture

Karl-Marx-Allee is one of the most famous Berlin boulevards built after World War II as part of the reconstruction of East Berlin. However, housing here was not as important as demonstrating the power of the German Democratic Republic. The goal was to show the superiority of socialism over capitalism by offering more than the West. The street connects Alexanderplatz with Friedrichshain to Strausberger Platz. It is as wide as 90 meters long and 2 kilometers long.

View on the Karl-Marx-Allee in Berlin-Friedrichshain
Buldings in Karl-Marx-Allee, Strausberger Platz, Berlin

Karl-Marx-Allee as Stalinallee

Karl-Marx-Allee Block C Nord Berlin

The first construction phase is from Frankfurter Tor to Strausberger Platz. The buildings in this part look more like palaces than residential buildings. Also for the fifties and eastern Europe, the buildings were very luxurious: large living areas, bright rooms, lifts, central heating, hot water, garbage cans, and intercoms. The construction started in 1952 and was completed by 1958. Until 1961 the street had the name Stalinallee when it was renamed to its present name. Hermann Henselmann was the main architect of this massive construction project.

Buldings in Karl-Marx-Allee, Strausberger Platz, Berlin

Second construction phase

Blick auf die Karl-Marx-Allee in Berlin-Friedrichshain

The construction that characterized the first phase was too expensive for thousands of people who still needed housing after the destruction during World War II. The buildings between Strausberger Platz and Alexanderplatz used to have a different construction technique. Instead of the traditional brick building, prefabricated blocks were used. The main architects were Josef Kaiser, Werner Dutschke and Edmund Collein.

Front view of Kino International, Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany
'LKW Tatra Motokov Building' Karl-Marx-Allee, Berlin

Karl-Marx-Allee – tips for visiting

Haus des Reisens, Alexanderstrasse, Alexanderplatz, Mitte, Berlin

I recommend visiting Kino International, one of the most important buildings of the second construction phase. You can find a small exhibition on the history of the entire street at Sibyl’s cafe. There are also Cafe Moskva / Moscow, Kosmos Theater (now the club’s place in Berlin), and Karl Marx bookstore, formerly number one for socialist books. In 1997, the Computer Game Museum was opened with the largest European collection of computer games.

Buldings in Karl-Marx-Allee, Strausberger Platz, Berlin

Biermeile – Internationales Berliner Bierfestival

Kino International, Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany

The Biermeile beer festival is the largest beer festival held in Germany after the Oktoberfest held in Munich. It is held in Karl-Marx-Allee Street. The festival shows some of the best beers from all over the world and is extremely popular among locals and tourists. The stunning architecture that surrounds this festival makes it a great place with an incredible amount of beer stalls, live music and eating places.

Main avenue during of the GDR East Germany, Karl-Marx-Allee
Haus des Lehrers (House of the teachers), the mural wrapping around the entire building
Frankfurter Tor towers, Friedrichshain, Berlin
Buldings in Karl-Marx-Allee, Strausberger Platz, Berlin
Main avenue during of the GDR East Germany, Karl-Marx-Allee
Main avenue during of the GDR East Germany, Karl-Marx-Allee
Main avenue during of the GDR East Germany, Karl-Marx-Allee
Socialist architecture on Karl Marx Allee, Berlin, Germany
Pedesterian view on the famous Alexanderplatz square
Kino International, Friedrichshain, Berlin, Germany

The Cold War Sites in Berlin

Berlin’s most famous Cold War location is probably Checkpoint Charlie. Also, don’t miss a visit Karl-Marx-Allee, one of the most famous Berlin boulevards built after World War II as part of the reconstruction of East Berlin. Berlin is full of interesting locations from this period, so this is just a small part of everything you can visit. In the list below of Berlin Travel Guide, find the most popular Cold war attractions.

Discover the most beautiful and interesting sights around Berlin with Berlin Travel Guide Experiences. Find, compare, and book sightseeing tours, attractions, excursions, things to do, and fun activities.

Find out more information about Karl-Marx-Allee on:

Total
57
Shares
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Post
Kantine Deluxe Restaurant Berlin

Kantine Deluxe, a lovely restaurant with a modern way of food ordering

Next Post
Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin-Tiergarten

Haus der Kulturen der Welt, an architectural and cultural oasis

Related Posts