Cosmonaut Mural: A Berlin Street Art Icon
Iconic Berlin street art: A monumental mural of a floating astronaut in Kreuzberg, reflecting history, culture, and the desire to escape.
The Cosmonaut Mural, a striking piece of street art in Berlin-Kreuzberg, has become a landmark and a must-see for tourists exploring the city's urban art scene. Created in 2007 by French artist Victor Ash during the Backjumps Urban Art Festival, the mural spans 22 meters in height and 14 meters in width. The mural depicts an astronaut floating in space against a dark background. With no discernible facial features behind the helmet, the figure's arm is raised, seemingly gesturing towards something. The artwork is rendered in a stencil style, primarily in black and white, which adds to its iconic and somewhat haunting presence. The Cosmonaut Mural has multiple layers of meaning. It reflects on the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, a significant historical event during the Cold War era. It also embodies Berlin's subcultures and the desire to escape reality, a sentiment deeply rooted in the city's tumultuous past. The image of the astronaut is inspired by David Bowie's song "Space Oddity", further adding to the mural's cultural significance. Located at the intersection of Mariannenstrasse and Skalitzer Strasse, the mural is easily accessible and has become one of the most photographed artworks in Berlin. Over time, additional graffiti has appeared around the mural, a common occurrence with street art, adding to the evolving nature of the artwork.
Local tips
- Visit at night to see the mural in a different light, as the shadows and surrounding urban environment create a unique atmosphere.
- Explore the surrounding Kreuzberg neighborhood for more street art and a taste of Berlin's alternative culture.
- Take photos from across the street to capture the full scale of the mural.
A brief summary to Cosmonaut Mural
- Berlin, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, DE
Getting There
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Public Transport
The Cosmonaut Mural is located between the Kottbusser Tor and Görlitzer Bahnhof U-Bahn stations. From either station, walk along Skalitzer Straße until you reach the intersection with Mariannenstraße. The mural is visible on the side of a building at Oranienstraße 195. A single fare for a short trip (Kurzstrecke) on the U-Bahn is around €2.00 [https://www.bvg.de/en].
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Walking
From Kottbusser Tor, walk east along Skalitzer Straße for about 5 minutes. Turn right onto Mariannenstraße, and you'll see the mural on your left. From Görlitzer Bahnhof, walk west along Skalitzer Straße for about 5 minutes. Turn left onto Mariannenstraße, and the mural will be on your left.
