These photos were taken at Teufelsberg (Devil’s Mountain) in Charlottenburg. It is one of the most interesting and special sites in Berlin, presenting a surreal, post-apocalyptic and sci-fi atmosphere.
Giant murals in other Berlin neighborhoods
Following are photos of Berlin’s amazing murals, taken mainly in Kreuzberg.
This post is part of a series on street art in Berlin. Following are the posts in the series:
Street Art at Devil’s Mountain, Berlin
Teufelsberg (Devil’s Mountain) in Charlottenburg. It is one of the most interesting and special sites in Berlin, presenting a surreal, post-apocalyptic and sci-fi atmosphere.
It is an artificial hill, 120m high, made entirely of man-made waste derived of the city’s rubble after WWII, when nearly 80% of the buildings were demolished. This impressive mountain eventually became the highest point in West Berlin, attracting the U.S. intelligence.
They realized that it was the perfect spot to intercept radio communications from the East and decided to set up a large base. Over the years, Teufelsberg played a major role in the Cold War drama – serving as a U.S. interception station. It is now run by a collective of artists, charging an €8 admission fee in order to preserve the site. It occasionally hosts film, theater and street art events. Be sure to check the opening hours online.
The hill is in the middle of Grunewald Forest in Wester Berlin. It has several structures, some semi-demolished and, in the center, standing out, are three domes made of dilapidated tarp. All of the structures are covered with contemporary and changing street art, including giant creations that go up to insane heights. A tour of the complex reveals a breathtaking view and, when visibility is good, you can see the forest, lakes, peripheral towns and, of course, Berlin.
Remember that Teufelsberg is not a regular tourist site, so there is no food (just a small beverage bar) or toilets (there are portable toilets throughout the complex and a huge forest with places to hide). As such, be sure to come with food and drinks for half a day. In addition, you should wear comfortable shoes and a hat if it’s going to be sunny.
Let’s get started…
Put Teufelsberg in Google and let’s begin our tour.
All of the directions to the complex are at the bottom of the post.
There are several buildings at Teufelsberg, some low (1-2 floors) and some taller (4-5 floors). The stairs to the various floors are external. All floors provide exhibitions with dozens of huge street art creations built inside the building.
Above the tallest structures are two more dilapidated towers where entry is forbidden for safety reasons. You don’t need a special guide and an independent tour will expose you to all of the art in all of the spaces. There’s a large garden in the central courtyard, a small beverage store and tons of vibe that you won’t find anywhere else!
Teufelsberg – Paradise for (Street) Art Lovers
It really is hard to describe the experience at Devil’s Mountain. The first reaction is wonder – does this place really exist? There’s something about its topography and structures that gives it an apocalyptic, imaginary, artistic and experiential twist.
