Urban exploration, abbreviated urbex (from English: urban exploration), is an activity consisting of visiting places built and abandoned by man.
This practice also includes visiting prohibited places, hidden or difficult to access, such as metro tunnels, catacombs, construction / renovation projects and rooftops (peaks of buildings, monuments ...). The practice brings together so-called "underground" activities such as "cataphilia" and "rooftop". The urban explorer is commonly referred to by the neologism urbexer. This concept took off especially in the 90s and has developed everywhere, in France, but also in Belgium, Germany. Urbexers are respectful of their environment and are usually passionate about the history of the places. For example in paris, a crew of urbexers called "Untergunther" organised clandestine cinema sessions in the underground tunnels of Palais de Chaillot, and fixed the old clock of the Pantheon that had been broken since the 60's, probably a sabotage by an employee tired of having to wind the clock.
In Berlin there's a multitude of places to explore and the best guide to discover these spots is Digital Cosmonaut with really interesting historical facts, tips and a multitude of beautiful photos. Here are some of the places presented by the website.
The Winter Home of the State Circus of the German Democratic Republic
Historically, Berlin had always been known to be a “Circus” City – with dozens of traveling and permanent circuses calling the city its home. The second World War destroyed all of the permanent circuses the city had to offer – but by 1948 they had begun reappear – and by the late 1960s, the Staatszirkus der DDR – The State Circus of the GDR (sometimes also known as the VEB Zentralzirkus) had soon become famous beyond the borders of the German Democratic Republic.
The Abandoned Childrens Hospital in Weißensee
The Abandoned Childrens Hospital in Weißensee Berlin or as its was officially known as: The Säuglings- und Kinderkrankenhaus Preußens (Childrens Hospital Prussia) was the first communal run childrens hospital in Prussia. The Childrens Hospital was designed by Carl James Bühring (who played a major role in the architectural development of Weißensee) and was officially inaugurated on the 8th July, 1911. The Hospital, thanks to its modern treatment methods and the “social hygienic” standards, was soon known well beyond Berlins borders.
Berlins Abandoned Boeing 707
Berlin and its Airports – a never-ending saga. First they killed of Berlins most central Airport, Tempelhof in 2008, then they wanted to expand Schönefeld and close down Tegel in 2011. While closing down Tempelhof gave Berlin its “Abandoned Airport Park” , everyone knows how the whole Schönefeld/Tegel saga went. Tegel – now Berlins favorite airport is still open, while Berlins residents get to laugh (and despair) at every new proposed finishing date for SXF (currently set at 2018). BUT there’s an Airport related story about Berlins ineptitude much older than THF, SXF, TXL. The story of Berlins Abandoned Boeing.
Rapunzel’s Tower
Hidden in a small overgrown forest on the outskirts of a sleepy village lies Rapunzel’s Tower. Or at least whats left of it. Rubble of the former castle is still visible here and there, alluding to its former size. Given the geographic location, the story behind the castle is one of thousands in this area.
In the last stages of the second World War, the Red Army overran the area and heavily damaged the village and the surrounding cities. Those that could fled further west – those that couldn’t stayed and awaited their fate. Days and weeks after the war ended – the residents were expelled and replaced by new tenants. The castle – looted and crumbling was left to itself. Time passed and the surrounding forest took care of covering up the unpleasant memory.
Locations descriptions: Digital Cosmonaut
All photo right:s Digital Cosmonaut