The Mauerpark is one of the landmarks of Berlin, a must-go touristic spot and a place with a very strong historical background. It's name translates directly to Wall Park (Mauer = Wall) and it used to serve as the location for the Old Nordbahnhof (Northern Train Station). Then, it was the southern terminus of the Prussian Nothern Railway which connected Berlin to the city of Strasslund and the Baltic Sea. The station was closed after the building of the Berlin Wall in 1961 and it is today a beautiful public park where people congregate to hang-out, drink beer, work-out, and do all sorts of cultural things.
Every Sunday, the park becomes a little local fair. The two main attractions are the flea market, and the bearpit karaoke. The flee market is put up at the entrance to the park and you can find food, second-hand clothes, hand-made accessories and all sorts of "cachivaches". My personal favorite is the "Bearpit Karaoke". Located in the old stoned-built amphitheater, the Bearpit Karaoke has been happening every Sunday since February, 2009. It started off quite small with a man named Joe Hatchiban who travels around on a tricycle with his battery powered speaker, his microphone and a laptop, and has been given since 2009 the possibility to thousands of people to find their inner artists.
In addition to these two attractions, loads of bands, musicians, or other types of artists do street performances in different locations at the park, making it all and all a really nice experience.
Since in Berlin you are allowed to drink in public, you see loads of people walking around with beers, or buying all sorts of drinks inside the park. Sundays congregate people from all ages, races, cultures, international and local, and it is 100% a must-go.
On the days I went there I saw techno-beatboxers, African-drummers, loads of people dancing and singing, people hanging out, barbecuing in the park, and doing all sorts of fun stuff. Check-out my pictures below to get a taste of what the place and event looks like.
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