The neighborhood, known as Kreuzberg, is not yet over-crowded by tourism. Nevertheless it is perhaps the best known of all of Berlin’s districts, chiefly for its rich alternative scene. Without question, Kreuzberg is Berlin’s most diverse neighborhood, a true melting pot of foreigners, artists, professionals, social fringe-types and “old-timers” all coexisting side by each.

During the time before the Wall fell, this is where free thinkers of all varieties settled. Thousands of pacifists came from West Germany to avoid the mandatory military service, punks squatted in abandoned houses and gays and lesbians found an environment free of repression. Kreuzberg became one of the most open districts in the world, an island ironically isolated within East Germany. Today the feeling is still present, though certainly more upscale than in former days.

The apartment is located in Kreuzberg’s more “genteel” quarter very close to one of Berlin’s most pleasant and popular streets, Bergmannstraße. The famous and very pretty waterfall of Viktoria Park can easily be seen from the front door of my building.

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