Holzmarkt 25: From Berlin's Wildest Club to a Village by the Spree

Part of Berlin by Foot, this tour takes you inside Holzmarkt 25, a living monument to Berlin's hedonistic past and self-determined future.
About this Event

Berlin by Foot with Johannes Husten

Curious about what connects legendary sunrise raves on the Spree, a radical housing cooperative, and one of the last stretches of Berlin riverbank not sold off to the highest bidder?
Or do you simply love discovering the stories behind the city's most unconventional places? Either way, we'd love to welcome you on this tour!
This walk traces the story of Holzmarkt 25 from the ground up. From the wild, hedonistic days of the legendary Bar25 to the living, breathing village that stands on the banks of the Spree today. On what was once a forgotten industrial wasteland, a remarkable place has taken shape: a riverside world of culture, food and drink, craft, music, social projects and collective work, owned and run by the people who built it. Along the way, we'll look at how the project emerged from the end of Bar25, the unlikely cooperative model that made it possible, and the very real challenges and opportunities of alternative urban development in a city where every square metre is fought over.
Highlights along the way include:

• The legend of Bar25
• Insights into the village's cultural and creative spaces
• The reality of building the village
• What the future holds for Holzmarkt
• A final get-together over drinks

This journey along the Spree gives participants an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how Holzmarkt came to be and what it really takes to develop a piece of Berlin on your own terms.
About your guide:
Hannes H. has been part of the Holzmarkt project for over 13 years. For many years he was involved in various areas of building the project and its public relations work, and he remains a member of the cooperatives to this day. Through his long-standing connection to the place, he knows the history, development and distinctive character of Holzmarkt — and offers personal insights into one of the most exciting urban development projects in Berlin.

We will meet in front of the Café Holzmarktperle at Holzmarktstraße 25, 10243 Berlin (near S+U Jannowitzbrücke). The tour will begin promptly at 12.15 pm.

What are you waiting for? Don't just see Berlin — experience it. Lace up your shoes and let Hannes H. show you the story behind one of the city's boldest experiment. It's Berlin like you've never seen it, complete with a complimentary copy of The Berliner magazine!
Stay in the loop! Join our WhatsApp channel for live updates, meetup info & insider tips before the tour:

photo: Imago/Joko