Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE BERLIN WALL MEMORIAL
Mitte: The Spandauer Vorstadt
The Spandauer Vorstadt, the crescent-shaped area running north of the River
Spree between Friedrichstrasse and Alexanderplatz, emerged after the
Wende
as one of the most intriguing parts of the unified city. Its appeal is
based partly on its history as Berlin's prewar Jewish quarter - by the start
of the twentieth century the district had become the cultural and spiritual
centre of a well-established, wealthy and influential Jewish community.
Things changed dramatically under the Nazis, but since the
Wende
the
district has undergone a dramatic revival. Squatters and artists were the first
pioneers; restoration projects soon followed, putting the infrastructure to
rights and renovating the backstreets to usher in a tide of bars, boutiques,
cafés and restaurants. The area now boasts a booming (if fairly touristy)
shopping, dining and nightlife scene, all easily navigable on foot.
