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Squatters in Berlin

The squatters’ movement was born in England in the 60s, but soon it spread to other European cities such as Berlin. This is linked to the punk and underground culture. While almost everywhere squatting was considered an illegal movement, in Germany it was legalized from the 90’s and because of this Berlin became the capital of the squatting movement. It adopted the name of “Instandbesetzen”: it is the union of two words that mean to renew and to occupy.

Some of the most important Berlin hallmarks are the squatters’ houses. Although in the past five years the city has undergone a huge transformation due to the construction of new examples of modern architecture such as the Potsdamer Platz, Berlin is still today the preferred city of the squatters and the centre of the punk movement. On the east side of the city (especially in the Mitte neighbourhood) there is a special cultural, political and social ambient. There are squatter’s houses everywhere: after their legalization, many of them have become cultural centres. In addition, there have emerged lots of different types of premises such as bars or specialized bookshops.

This culture is so deep rooted in Berlin that they don’t only squat in flats and houses but also take over entire buildings and streets. There are squatters who even live in train wagons or trucks, crammed into squares or waste grounds, creating huge villages.

Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichschain (all in East Berlin), are the districts with the most squatters. There is a subculture of autonomy, spontaneity and improvisation.

Tacheles was squatted in 1990 by a group of young artists from different parts of the world. What started being a simple squatter’s house, is today one of the most famous alternative cultural centres of Berlin. Since the Wall’s fall, Tacheles has combined its anarchist ideals with its artistic projects. The building has been declared a historical monument and incorporates exhibitions, theatres, and a famous café (Zapata’s Coffee)… It has gained influence as an international culture centre, both positively and negatively.

The centre has received some recognition from Berlin’s public administration and therefore receives some yearly subsidies for its funding as a result. The rest of its revenues comes from the artists’ rentals and the bar’s benefits. The architecture of the area and its run-down appearance, as well as its international artistic activity, have turned Tacheles into a worldwide famous centre.

Berlin Apartments

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