Spokesperson: Michael Richter
Deputy speaker: Ingmar Arnold
E-Mail contact: bereich [dot] forschung [at] berliner-unterwelten [dot] de
Using eyewitness accounts and other types of research, the Berlin 1945 section tries to reconstruct the events of the last days of the Second World War in Berlin …more
Right from the beginning of the Industrial Age, the breweries have had been pioneers in the development of an authentic Berlin Underground. This is certainly a good reason to let this section come into being. The history of Berlin's breweries is an important chapter within the industrial history of the German capital. Until recently, many impressive subterranean vaults could have …more
Bunkers and air raid shelters constitute an important part of Berlin's architecture. However, these relics from the darkest episode of German history have been subjected – with the exception of Berlin's flak towers – to very little research at all. This group tries to shed light on that sombre period of Berlin's past. Its research focuses on the years from …more
This branch explores bunkers and their different forms of use from the year 1949 up to 1989. It also examines the history of escape and spy tunnels and the railway “ghost stations” …more
It is the intention of this workgroup to deal with the restart of life in Berlin after World War II (May 1945). Corresponding research work, well-founded analysis and the detailed questioning of contemporary witnesses are essential to our work. The members hope to present soon the results of the latest research. Also lectures, film material, education seminaries and perhaps an …more
Within living memory the weird underworld is fascinating humankind. The multifaced experiences with it are described in innumerable sagas. At one hand, “Underworld” stands as a symbol of security and secrecy, a protection against bad weather conditions and enemies. On the other hand, underworlds are full of danger, filled with terrible creatures from the backmost dark corner; they are fire-breathing …more
The aims of this section are to contact private or public owners of subterranean properties and archives, the documentation and implementation of historical research and the preparation of information and underground structures for public tours as well as for all-day or all-week seminaries. The subject area of the Section are: the architecture of Urban Infrastructure in General …more
The main focus for the research of this workgroup is the underground constructions that crossed from East Berlin to West Berlin between 1952 and 1989.
This includes: the S-Bahn and U-Bahn underground rail tunnels (ghost stations…), the canalization/ sewer system and tunnels dug under the wall to aid escapes.
The goal of the workgroup is to gather information …more