10 Literary Locations in Berlin that Book Lovers Need to Visit
Berlin! Home of the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall. This invigorating city is bursting with a rich history, cultural flair, and wild nightlife.
Berlin is also the perfect place to satisfy your literary sweet tooth. Hidden beneath the tourist attractions is a city brimming with an exciting bookish past. Exploring the city is the best way to discover the story behind the story.
Below is a list of our top 10 literary must-sees when you visit Berlin! From busy squares to tiny bookish museums, this city truly does have it all!
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Part 1 – 10 Literary Places in the UK Book Lovers Need to Visit
Part 2 – 10 Literary Places in Paris Book Lovers Need to Visit
FAMOUS LITERARY LOCATIONS TO VISIT IN BERLIN
1. Gendarmenmarkt
The Gendarmenmarkt is often described as the most beautiful square in Berlin. It is the home of many large, impressive architectural structures, including the Berlin concert hall and the French and German Churches.
Ordinary tourists (and by ordinary, we mean not entirely book-obsessed) will be keen to visit this delightful destination for its unique architectural ensemble designed by Georg Christian Unger and its bustling Christmas market. However, the square boasts a rich literary history, as it was the home of poet E.T.A. Hoffmann. You can discover Hoffmann's house located at Charlottenstraße 56 at the corner of Taubenstraße.
Hoffman's has now been transformed into the Lutter & Wegner restaurant as a tribute to the original wine tavern, which Hoffman frequently visited.
For music and theatre lovers, the Gendarmenmarkt offers Classic Open Air concerts every summer. Enjoy the blissful sounds of a live orchestra while basking in the romance of this inspiring literary location.
2. Isherwood Walking Tour
The Isherwood Walking Tour is a highlight for any Berlin-visiting-book-lover. Discover the life of famous author Christopher Isherwood and follow his fascinating tales around the city of Berlin.
Isherwood's most famous work, The Berlin Stories, is a semi-autobiographical novel that inspired the dark yet tremendously famous musical Cabaret! Discover the Nollendorfplatz area, which Isherwood frequented. Visit his apartment, which he shared with the cabaret singer Jean Ross, on whom the character Sally Bowles is primarily based.
3. The Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Centre
Photo by Stefan Müller
The Grimm Fairy Tales are legendary across the world. The Grimm brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm are the creative masterminds behind 210 children’s short stories that have become an integral part of modern society. From Hansel and Gretl to Little Red Riding Hood, the Grimm brothers changed the face of children's literature as we know it.
The Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Centre was named in honour of the brothers. It is a highly acclaimed library, revered for its urban architecture and towering presence within the city of Berlin. It is the largest open-shelving library in Germany and belongs to Humboldt University. For the first time in 200 years, the library brings together all the university‘s collections, previously housed in separate libraries across Berlin. If you’re looking for the ultimate library, then this should certainly be a stop on your literary tour!
4. Bertolt Brecht Centre and Museum
Photo by Fridolin Freudenfett
The Bertolt Brecht Centre and Museum is a charming hidden gem tucked away between the busy Berlin streets.
The German practitioner, poet and playwright is world-renowned for his contribution to literature and theatre. His most notable work includes The Threepenny Opera and the creation of Epic Theatre, a political theatre movement born in the early 20th century.
Join a fascinating tour around Brecht and his wife Helene's home, where they resided during the last years of their life when Brecht was directing plays for the Berliner Ensemble.
Why not grab lunch at the museum's delicious garden cafe? The menu is based on Helene's traditional recipes!
5. Dorotheenstädtischen Friedhof
Photo by Eisenacher
After visiting Brecht's home, you can easily reach this fifth destination, as it is located within the grounds.
The Dorotheenstädtischen Friedhof lies merely a stone's throw away from Brecht's house. The cemetery is the resting place of some of Berlin's most esteemed authors, including Christa Wolf and Heiner Müller.
6. Walter Benjamin House
Photo by Wikinaut
Many are saddened by the story of Walter Benjamin, the incredible writer, critic and philosopher. Sadly, the famed author had to flee his home in Berlin during the second world war and committed suicide in 1940 to escape the Gestapo.
Literary lovers gather from all corners of the world to pay tribute to this intelligent man and bless his creative soul. The Walter Benjamin House is situated at the Prinzregentstraße in Wilmersdorf. Here you can discover details about his work, life and legacy.
7. The Savoy Hotel
Looking for a place to stay? The Savoy Hotel is the perfect place for a good night's rest, especially if you're a book lover!
The famous hotel has given rest to many famous writers, poets and artists over the years! Why not stay in a suite named after the delightful Henry Miller? He was a frequent visitor of the Savoy during his visits to Berlin.
8. Bebelplatz
Photo by Charlotte Nordahl
Bebelplatz is perhaps one of the most famous literary locations in the world. Sadly, this is not an uplifting visit, as Bebelplatz was the site of the infamous Nazi book burning of May 1933.
German university students placed the contents of the university library into the square while Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels gave a fiery speech. Around 20,000 books were burnt on the eve of the 10th of May 1933. Some authors were even present at the burning and looked on as their work was destroyed.
Although this is not a happy literary tourist stop, it is incredibly important. You can pay tribute to the lost work at The Empty Library memorial, now present in the square.
The public square was initially named Opernplatz but was renamed after August Bebel, a founder of the Social Democratic Party of Germany after the war.
9. Pariser Platz
Photo by Axel Mauruszat
The final destination on our list of literary must-sees is the Pariser Platz, the famous square next to the Brandenburg gate. The square is iconically named after Paris to remember the anti-Napoleon victory at the Battle of Paris.
The square is a literary haven, as it has been home and stomping ground to many incredible artists and authors over the years. Notable creatives, including writer Bettina von Armin and painter Max Liebermann, lived in the area.
Achim von Arnim and Clemens Brentano, both notable poets and authors became famous as the editors of Des Knaben Wunderhorn, the folk song collection within the vicinity of Pariser Platz.
10. The Anna-Seghers-Museum
Photo by Andreas Süß
Anna Seghers, the pseudonym of German writer Anna Reiling, is famous for her literary exploration into Nazisim and the Second World War. This incredible Jewish woman escaped Nazi territory and lived in Mexico throughout the war.
Upon returning to Berlin in 1947, Seghers desired to live in her hometown and write for a German-speaking audience. This quaint museum preserves Seghers home and study as it existed during her lifetime. It is presented as a "permanent showcase exhibition on her life and work".
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Part 1 – 10 Literary Places in the UK Book Lovers Need to Visit
Part 2 – 10 Literary Places in Paris Book Lovers Need to Visit
