On the Berlin Modernism trail

For this tour, plan in two days.

Start your day with a fascinating insight into Berlin’s modernist age on an art:Berlin themed tour – just right to explore modernism’s many influences on the city’s architecture, art and design. Many Berlin museums are holding special exhibitions to mark the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus. From January to early May, for example, you can explore From Arts and Crafts to Bauhaus. Art and Design – A New Union! at the Bröhan-Museum, Berlin’s museum for art nouveau, art deco, and functionalism.

After a stroll down the Schloßstraße boulevard and around the charming  Schustehruspark, enjoy a break in one of the numerous nearby restaurants or head for Rogacki , one of the city’s legendary gourmet food shops. For a musical finale to the day, indulge in top-flight classical sounds at the Deutsche Oper – and don’t forget to visit the Deutsche Oper tube station to see another vibrant architectural design inspired by modernism.

Day 2 starts at Onkel Toms Hütte tube station in Zehlendorf. This area is ideal to discover works by famous 1920s architects such as Hugo Häring, Otto Rudolf Salvisburg and Bruno Taut. Stroll down Am Fischtal for a vivid impression of the confrontation between traditionalist and modernist archi-tecture, only too evident in the “battle of the roofs” (Dächerkrieg) from 1928.Afterwards, head for the re-opened Haus am Waldsee with its collection of con-temporary art and spreading grounds witha sculpture park showing selected contemporary works. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing break in the museum café.

In the afternoon, it’s off to Kreuzberg and the Berlinische Galerie, dedicated to Berlin art from 1870 to the present day. In a former glass warehouse a few minutes from the Jewish Museum, the Berlinische Galerie is one of Berlin’s newest museums. From September, it is also hosting a special Bauhaus Archive exhibition entitled Bauhaus: Production– Reproduction. For a different take on Bauhaus – and some of the best chocolate in town – visit artisan chocolatier Erich Hamann Bittere Schokoladen Berlin.Packed with chocolate delights from “chocolate bark” to mocha beans, the shop still has the original furnishings designed by Bauhaus teacher and architect Johannes Itten. For other heady scents, visit perfumery Frau Tonis Parfum in Zimmerstraße, where you can create your own bespoke perfume. In the evening, experience Berlin’s theatre scene with a show at the Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz. Not only home to cut-ting-edge productions, the theatre building by architect Erich Mendelsohn is also well worth seeing.