Berlin is undoubtedly a must see, but one afternoon at Hackesche Höfe, along its 27.000 square meters of surface, cannot be missed!
A few steps from Alexanderplatz and in the center of Hackesche Markt, stands a complex of buildings and courtyards in Art Noveau, dating back to the early 900s, also known by the name of Scheunenviertel.
The word "Hof", in fact, really means "courtyards", and this area of aggregation has eight, each different from the other.
Taken a little by curiosity, and by the desire to take a stroll around the shops, I slipped inside Hackesche Höfe and got lost among the Hofs, which host shops, bars, offices and, last but not least, a cinema and two theaters.
The complex was inaugurated in 1906, and was based on a unique concept for its time, with the purpose di insulate homes and the offices from the street noise. Conceived by Kurt Berendt and August Endell, it was subsequently renovated after the fall of the Berlin wall, it was then made a meeting place for residents and an attraction for tourists.
HOF I
The courtyards are numbered, Hof I and so on, and can be visited without following a specific order. The first courtyard is also known as Endellscher Hof, and is probably the most striking for its exterior walls, tiled with tiles designed by the architect August Endell - from whom it takes its name.
In this courtyard you can find an independent art cinema, the Hackesche Höfe Kino, with only 4 shows a day, the modern variety theater, Chamaleon Variètè, fairly inexpensive restaurants and bars.
HOF II
Also known by the name of Theaterhof, due to the presence of the Hackesche Höfe Theater, Yiddish culture theater, houses a series of architectural offices.
The remaining courtyards leave room for the world of shopping and Art gallery. There really is something for everyone, from decidedly cheap clothing stores - the H&M chain itself has a branch here - to slightly more expensive ones, with really unusual clothes. For those who love necklaces, a visit to Perlin is a must, and for those who prefer hats there is a shop, I dare say, with ample choices.
Here you will also find L'Ampleman Shop, or the shop dedicated to one of the most famous symbols of the city of Berlin: the little man, with a hat and a bit of flesh, of the traffic light. If you are looking for a souvenir, this is definitely the place!
THE QR CODE IN THE COURTYARDS
With the advent of technology and smartphones always in hand, Hackesche Höfe has modernized, enriching the courtyards with information panels equipped with FACEBOOK QR CODE. Just bring the mobile phone close to the code displayed, and that's it: video or audio files will be played on the smartphone, and they will show you the complex of Hackesche Höfe as it once was.
Although personally I don't like to get lost in the shops, seeing this set of linked courtyards and buildings, detached from the chaotic Hackesche Markt, was a pleasant experience and one that I recommend. Hackesche Höfe is in its small way a part of that history of Berlin which portrays its rebirth, but which, however, has its origins in the past.
