Open Air Gas Lantern Museum

The Open Air Gas Lantern Museum was established in 1978 and shows 90 historic lanterns, both originals and replicas, from 25 German and 11 European cities. The lanterns originate from the era between 1826 and 1956. It is the largest collection in Europe of its sort. The museum is situated near S-Bahnhof Tiergarten between the Strasse des 17. Juni and the upper lock in the Landwehrkanal. Don’t forget the few at the other side of the Strasse des 17. Juni behind the Burger King. Especially in the evening or at night it’s worth a visit, as lights are switched on at dusk.
If you would like to see more gas lanterns “in the wild”, then you are in the right city.

Berlin gas street lighting

More than 200 years ago, in 1814 the first gas lanterns appeared in London. Since then, the use grew rapidly due to the industrialisation. In Berlin, gas lamps are used since 1826 and have been silent witnesses of the eventful history. Currently there are still about 44.000 of them in operation in Berlin. A unique number, which is more than half of all working gas lanterns in the world. The majority of the relatively modern lamps are found in the western part of the city, as in this isolated part of the divided city it was easier to use gas than to be dependent on electricity supplies.

While the 90 lanterns of the museum are protected by world monument funding, the 44.000 in the streets of Berlin are not. There are plans to gradually convert all of them into electric lamps, as gas lighting is supposed to be environmentally harmful and more expensive, which is highly debatable.

A good overview of the different types of Berlin gas lanterns and where it is worth seeing them, can be found on the website of Gaslicht-Kultur, which is an association to promote and protect the gas operated street lighting in Berlin. It also organises tours.

More information

Gaslaternen-Freilichtmuseum/Open Air Gas Lantern Museum
Strasse des 17. Juni/Klopstockstrasse
S5 S7 S75 N9 Tiergarten
Open anytime
Free admission
www.gaslicht-kultur.de

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Berlin has an old brewing tradition. In the past, the city housed many breweries and around 1900 the amount of breweries was the largest of Europe. Most do not exist anymore, or are part of the large Berliner-Kindl-Schultheiss brewery.
Since the last couple of years however, the amount of microbreweries is growing fast, which can be directly linked to the popularity of craft beer.

Craft Beer

The craft beer movement originates in the US during the 1980s. Unsatisfied by the narrow offers of mainly industrial lager beer, people started brewing their own home-made beer. The fun of experimenting with rare ingredients, such as hops and flavours, resulted in a new beer drinking experience. It became more an event of tasting beers which have more character and more taste, and which are more honest and more personally made.

Berlin Craft Beer Fest

Also the craft beer community in Berlin rocks nowadays, which is celebrated
by the Berlin Craft Beer Fest, a two day beer festival which is a little brother of Braufest Berlin. It will take place at the same location around the Badehaus Szimpla at the RAW Gelände. About 20 Berlin microbreweries will be presenting their finest craft beer, accompanied by talks, streetfood and some fine music.
I personally am on a quest for the best IPA. Hopefully I will succeed during this Craft Beer festival!

Also interesting to know is that the 2nd Braufest Berlin will take place 11th-13th September on the same location, with an international line-up with more breweries.

Berlin Craft Beer fest 2014

www.braufest-berlin.de
Badehaus Szimpla RAW Gelände, Revaler Strasse 99, 10245 Berlin-Friedrichshain
Fri May 30 12-23 Sat May 31 13-23
Free entrance
S5 S7 S75 U1 Warschauer Strasse
M10 M13 M16 Revaler Strasse

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It’s a nice opportunity to test a new camera. Don’t forget to bring your ID in order to lend one. Afterwards you may keep the SD card with your own photos. Or you can just bring your own camera if you don’t want to queue up for one.

Opernwerkstätten building

Not only the installations by the artist, also the building itself is worth a visit. The Opernwerkstätten (opera workshop), located in the Charité area, was built in 1941 by Albert Speer and houses 18000 m2. Here, sets and costumes were constructed, serving all 3 opera houses and several theaters.
Today, the building is used for events and exhibitions like the Olympus Photography Playground.

Olympus Photography Playground

www.photographyplayground.de
Till May 25 2014
Open Daily 11-19
Opernwerkstätten, Zinnowitzer Strasse 9, Berlin-Mitte
S1 S2 S25 Nordbahnhof, U6 Naturkundemuseum

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