Nestled just outside of the Ringbahn of Berlin, lay a historical little hub, a calm enclave carved out of a point in time when German Industry was at its height and technological discoveries were erupting regularly. Named after the British Queen, the area of Victoriastadt housed workers that spun wools and finery for her kingdoms consumption at high quantities. Initiating a spring of manufacturing from textiles to concrete, train brakes and pellet balls. Some relics still preserved, but...

Housing in major global cities is an issue all over the world, especially in Berlin where it is often said ‘looking for an apartment is like applying for a job or a visa’. There’s a lot of paperwork, a lot of requesting, a lot of rejections before you find the one, …or it finds you. In this episode we explore a 1980’s housing project that asks inhabitants to construct the future living they desire in an eco setting. Positioned in the center of Berlin, the Ökohaus embodies the ‘green heart’ of...

When you wish upon a star, whether or not you’re near or far, The celestial theatre of every night is tempting you to observe under moonlight. For those stargazing with extra curiosity, may be delighted to get closer to nebulosity, From a telescope over a century old, the greatest made as we are told. A humble astronomer with large starry dreams, equally designed a mechanism for viewing planetary means. Placing this great telescope on an observatory of wonder, teaching all beings of the...

When you wish upon a star, whether or not you’re near or far, The celestial theatre of every night is tempting you to observe under moonlight. For those stargazing with extra curiosity, may be delighted to get closer to nebulosity, From a telescope over a century old, the greatest made as we are told. A humble astronomer with large starry dreams, equally designed a mechanism for viewing planetary means. Placing this great telescope on an observatory of wonder, teaching all beings of...

When the summer approaches in Berlin, lakes and waterways become the splendor of Berlin residents. Spending many joyful afternoons at waterside, wading in its shores and floating on its surfaces. In and around Berlin, there is a menagerie of lakes and rivers to choose from, and leisure seekers take to its shorelines with joy and happiness, baptizing themselves in their waters each year. But what of some of the relics and hidden lore found on and at the depths of these beloved waters? In...

Episode 6 – Scents of a Century We hear, read and watch a lot about Berlin in the 1920’s but what did it smell like? After all scent charges the memory like none other of the five human senses. Almost a century’s old perfumery holds such coveted scents, from Marlene Dietrich’s preferred floral, to the musky scents of the 1970’s Berlin smoking clubs and the spicy preferred scents of now. SHOW NOTES: To discover more about Harry Lehmann & Parfum nach Gewicht, Künstil. Blumen, and to...

Looking out from the top level of an East German watch tower, the scene looks very different from the one over 30 years ago when the Berlin wall was still in place. I imagined giant slabs of erect concrete to my right and left, barbed wire from the middle along with various barricades and dangers placed along a long grave track. If this was then, my job would have been to be aware of trespassers and escapees and my duty to arrest or shoot if necessary… even if those escaping were a friend or...

Happy Halloween Episode! Join us as we recount a spooky happening at Stahnsdorf Cemetery involving a story about corpse of the late filmmaker Frederick W. Murnau, known for the famed vampire cult classic ‘Nosferatu’ and the unexpected guest who revealed that story. SHOW NOTES: Press links from the date Murnau’s skull went...

Climb aboard an old steam train and allow yourself to be transported back to the era of the Weimar Republic… when Marlene Dietrich dominated the silver screen, Mimi Thoma sang soothing ballads at late night cabarets, and Kurt Widmann & his Orchestra performed regular radio scores to the tune of a bustling booming Berlin up to the early eruptions of WW2. Berlin macht Dampf takes us there, as our host Lacy Barry recounts experiencing one of their vintage steam engines unexpectedly, in a...

Let’s revisit the not so distant past when the fall of the Berlin wall was not even a decade old and computer gaming was witnessing it’s first and second generation of devoted players. Come with Secret Place Berlin as we put on our gaming faces on and step into a digital cyberspace at the Computerspielemuseum …or Computer Gaming Museum auf English. From Joysticks to Avatars, we play tennis without leaving the couch, battle 8-bit villains and drive like maniacs over unchartered computer...

In Episode 2, join host Lacy Barry discover the history of a plant nursery that has survived multitudes of wars and seen Berlin go from Kaiser ruled Prussia to the current capital of Federal Republic of Germany. Let's dive into the story of Späth’sche Baumschulen; the 300 year old plant nursery and eventual Tree School that uprooted thrice in 7 generations. SHOW NOTES: Music by Hyperia: https://soundcloud.com/hyperia_music with sounds clips by various birds Information and quotes for this...

This is Secret Place Berlin, Where we explore the sometimes hidden and not so well known histories about Berlin, Germany. I’m your host Lacy Barry and today I will take you on a intergalactic journey through Berlin's future dreams of the past in a story about the Futuro House, Episode 1 SHOW NOTES: Music by Hyperia: https://soundcloud.com/hyperia_music with sounds clips by Raymond Scott Quotes for this episode have been referenced from https://thefuturohouse.com/ a online destination for...