This month Berlin is busy celebrating 775 years – there are a number of parties, exhibitions, and other events honoring the city’s brief moment on the planet.
Today I stopped by Schloßplatz to see one of the celebrating events – a 1:775 scale map of the city that shows all the streets (but not their names), along with a number of “push-pin” markers with signs talking about the city’s history.
Naturally I was interested in the places that I see every day, like Friedrichstrasse and Haupstrasse.
The biggest surprise, for me, was learning that my favorite Turkish Supermarkt, Öz-Gida is a historic site of note – but not, necessarily, for a good reason. Back in 1751, Frederick the Great had a number of houses built on what would, eventually, become Hauptstrasse. It seems that the pre-existing Schöneberger farmers resented having the interlopers. The tensions were, relatively speaking, shortlived, and with time Hauptstrasse 16 became the site of the last remaining “Kolonistenhaus” – which survived two World Wars, only to be torn down in 1973. My favorite Turkish supermarket, a fantastic supermarket, but a non-descript, if there ever was one, building, stands on the this spot.
Immediately after learning this at the 1:775 map, I went there and bought groceries.
(Hat tip to andBerlin/Berlin: City of Diversity – A 1:775 Scale Map on the Schlossplatz for turning me on to this!)
just to make a shallow appearing comment this time (*har *har), interesting indeed!
Thanks for the mention Adam. It’s great that there was a personal story for you in this exhibit celebrating expats/immigrants in Berlin. I love your photos and I’m always pleased to see see the Fernsehturm featured!
Öz-Gida is the shit. I am so jealous of your neighborhood.
That map is awesome! That would be fun and informative to check out.
How fun is that?