In September 2022, the “Stiftung Mitte Berlin” publicly announced for the first time that it would work actively and transparently for a densely built-up and lively inner city in the area of the former old town of Berlin. As part of the “Berlin Mitte Festival”, the project initiators answered questions – in an impressive atmosphere.
Impressive and suitable venue for the “Berlin Mitte Festival”: The Parochialkirche in the monastery district in Berlin-Mitte. / © Photo: Björn Leffler
© Visualizations / Video: Stiftung Mitte Berlin
Text and photo: Björn Leffler
The organizers of the “Berlin Mitte Festival” could not have chosen a more suitable location for their multi-day event, which took place in October last year.
The initiators of the “Foundation Mitte Berlin”, who first publicly announced in September 2022 that they would actively and transparently support a densely built-up and lively inner city in the area of the former old town of Berlin, had invited to the rooms of the Parochialkirche in the monastery district.
“Berlin Mitte Festival” Hundreds of visitors in the Parochialkirche in the monastery district
And many hundreds of people came to discuss upcoming topics such as the reconstruction of the Molkenmarkt, to listen to specialist lectures or to take part in guided tours of the site.
The Parochial Church was one of the first new churches to be built in Berlin after the Reformation. Until it was destroyed in World War II, it was one of the most famous churches in the city, mainly because of its striking tower and the famous carillon with its 37 bells.
From 1987 to 2003 the church was supported by the State Monuments Officethe German Foundation for Monument Protection and the regional church have been extensively renovated. About six years ago, 72 years after its destruction, the tower of the Parochial Church, which had not been restored until then, was rebuilt and is now one of the most interesting architectural buildings in the old and new Berlin center.
Parochial Church as a model? Partial reconstruction of Berlin’s old town
What was achieved with great commitment and perseverance in the case of the Berlin Parochial Church should also be possible for many other, long-gone buildings and urban structures of the former old town of Berlin. At least that’s what the “Foundation Mitte Berlin” is vehemently demanding.
One of her most prominent comrades-in-arms is the urban researcher Dr. Benedikt Goebel, who acts as deputy chairman of the foundation and defended the project in an interview with ENTWICKLUNGSSTADT BERLIN as follows: “We didn’t come to demolish. We bring together what belongs together and belongs in this place. We only add what is missing (…).“
The “Berlin Mitte Festival” in video: decision-makers have their say
As part of the festival, the foundation interviewed people about Berlin Mitte. Bertram Barthel and Jannick Otto made several films from it. We have made one of them available to you under the article here.
The film gives a voice to decision-makers who “Berlin’s heart beat louder again“ want to hear: Prof. Dr. Matthias Wemhoff (state archaeologist), Tobias Nöfer (Chairman of the Berlin-Brandenburg Association of Architects and Engineers), Prof. Dr. Alexander Pellnitz (architect and university teacher), Daniel Förster (entrepreneur) and the architect Pakertheran Jeyabalan.
The video shows that the start of the foundation was quite successful. The “Berlin Mitte Festival” should be understood as the first step towards public awareness in order to clarify your concerns and goals. This has been successful so far.
Here you can see a summary of the “Berlin Mitte Festival” in an official video by the Mitte Berlin Foundation:
You can find more pictures on this topic here:
Sophisticated exterior design at the Parochial Church in Mitte: The two wings of the “Kloster Gardens” residential complex enclose an inner courtyard that opens onto the church property and is connected to it by a garden gate. / © Photo: Björn Leffler
Vision or Utopia? The Great Jüdenhof in 2028, with restored buildings from 1928. / © Visualization: Stiftung Mitte Berlin
You can find more projects in Mitte here
Sources: Stiftung Mitte Berlin, DEVELOPMENT CITY BERLIN
You can find more articles on similar projects here:
Book review: Mitte at eye level – Berlin’s old town yesterday and today
Reconstruction of the old town? The “Foundation Mitte Berlin” in an interview
Berlin-Mitte: WBM’s new building on Fischerinsel causes disillusionment
Reconstruction of Berlin’s historic center: A project of the century?
Series of articles: Berlin’s historic center, part 5: 1933-1945 (2)
