Hausvogteiplatz: Echoes of Berlin's Fashion Legacy

Discover Hausvogteiplatz in Berlin-Mitte, a square steeped in history as the former heart of Berlin's garment industry, now a place of remembrance and urban renewal.

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Hausvogteiplatz

Hausvogteiplatz, a modestly sized, skewed triangular square in Berlin's Mitte district, holds a significant place in the city's history. Emerging from former fortifications, it rose to prominence in the 19th and early 20th centuries as the heart of Berlin's garment industry, the 'Berliner Konfektion.' Jewish entrepreneurs played a crucial role in establishing this ready-to-wear clothing hub, which adapted Parisian haute couture for mass production. The square suffered extensive damage during World War II, but remnants of its past, including the Haus zur Berolina, a historic commercial building, and a poignant memorial to Jewish garment workers, serve as reminders of its vibrant, and ultimately tragic, history. Today, Hausvogteiplatz offers a blend of historical reflection and modern urban life, making it a compelling, if understated, stop for those interested in Berlin's multifaceted past.

A brief summary to Hausvogteiplatz

Berlin, Mitte, DE
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Local tips

Visit the 'Denkzeichen Modezentrum Hausvogteiplatz' memorial to learn about the Jewish garment workers and business owners who were persecuted during the Nazi era.
Take a stroll around the square to admire the mix of historical and modern architecture, including the reconstructed Haus zur Berolina.
Use Hausvogteiplatz U-Bahn station (U2 line) as a convenient starting point for exploring other attractions in Berlin-Mitte, such as Gendarmenmarkt and Museum Island.

Getting There

Public Transport

The easiest way to reach Hausvogteiplatz is by taking the U2 U-Bahn line to Hausvogteiplatz station. From the station, the square is directly accessible via the eastern exit. A single BVG ticket (AB zone) costs €3.50 and is valid for two hours.
Bus

Several bus lines stop near Hausvogteiplatz, including lines 147, 165, 200, and M29. The closest bus stops are Werderscher Markt and Jerusalemer Straße, each a short walk from the square. A single BVG bus ticket (AB zone) costs €3.50.
Taxi/Ride-Share

A taxi or ride-share from a central location in Berlin-Mitte, such as Alexanderplatz or Brandenburg Gate, to Hausvogteiplatz will typically cost between €10 and €15, depending on traffic and the specific starting point.
Walking

Hausvogteiplatz is within walking distance of many other attractions in Berlin-Mitte, including Gendarmenmarkt (5-minute walk) and Museum Island (15-minute walk). Follow the signs and street names to orient yourself. No costs are associated with walking.

Discover more about Hausvogteiplatz

Hausvogteiplatz, nestled in the heart of Berlin's Mitte district, is more than just a public square; it's a living testament to the city's dynamic past, a place where echoes of industry, innovation, and tragedy resonate. This unassuming, slightly skewed triangular space, situated at the intersection of Friedrichswerder and Friedrichstadt, occupies land that was once part of Berlin's formidable fortifications. While its physical presence might not immediately command attention, the stories woven into its fabric offer a compelling glimpse into Berlin's economic and social history. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Hausvogteiplatz blossomed into the epicenter of Berlin's garment industry, known as the 'Berliner Konfektion'. This burgeoning industry revolutionized fashion, adapting the exclusive designs of Parisian haute couture for mass production. Jewish entrepreneurs, many of whom had immigrated to Berlin from Posen, played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding this ready-to-wear clothing hub. They created a system of 'Zwischenmeister' (subcontractors) and 'Heimarbeiterinnen' (home-seamstresses), employing thousands of women, often under harsh conditions, to produce affordable, stylish clothing for a wide clientele. Around 1860, approximately 20 clothing manufacturers were based around Hausvogteiplatz; a decade later, that number had doubled. By 1875, Berlin-made clothes were being exported to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. The 'Konfektion' industry not only transformed the fashion landscape but also became a significant economic engine for Berlin, providing employment and driving trade. The success of Hausvogteiplatz as a fashion center was tragically cut short by the rise of Nazism. Beginning in 1933, Jewish business owners were systematically persecuted, forced to sell their companies and properties at drastically reduced prices or without any compensation. By 1939, the German fashion industry had been completely 'Aryanized,' purged of its Jewish members. Thousands of Jewish garment workers and entrepreneurs were deported and murdered during the Holocaust, their contributions erased from official memory. World War II inflicted further devastation on Hausvogteiplatz. Allied bombing raids in 1944 and 1945 caused widespread destruction, leaving much of the square and its surrounding buildings in ruins. The U-Bahn station was severely damaged, and the once-thriving center of the 'Konfektion' industry lay in tatters. Miraculously, a single linden tree survived the war and the harsh post-war winters, becoming a symbol of resilience amidst the destruction. In 2000, a memorial designed by Rainer Görss, the 'Denkzeichen Modezentrum Hausvogteiplatz' (Memorial to the Fashion Center Hausvogteiplatz), was erected to commemorate the Jewish garment workers and business owners who were persecuted during the Nazi era. The memorial consists of three double-sided mirrors arranged in a triangle. Inside the triangle, metal text plates provide information about the fate of the Jewish manufacturers, serving as a poignant reminder of their contributions and the injustices they suffered. The memorial is located near the entrance to the Hausvogteiplatz U-Bahn station, ensuring that visitors are confronted with this important aspect of the square's history. Today, Hausvogteiplatz is a blend of historical reflection and modern urban life. While the garment industry is long gone, the square remains a bustling transportation hub and a place of remembrance. The Haus zur Berolina, one of the few original buildings to survive the war, has been reconstructed and modernized, housing offices and commercial spaces. The square itself has been redesigned with green spaces and a fountain, providing a pleasant environment for pedestrians. Visiting Hausvogteiplatz offers a unique opportunity to connect with Berlin's past. The memorial serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of intolerance and the importance of remembering the contributions of those who were persecuted. The surrounding architecture, both old and new, reflects the city's ongoing process of rebuilding and renewal. While Hausvogteiplatz may not be as grand or imposing as some of Berlin's other landmarks, its understated charm and rich history make it a worthwhile stop for those seeking a deeper understanding of the city's multifaceted past. Take a moment to reflect on the stories etched into the square's very foundation, and you'll gain a new appreciation for the resilience and complexity of Berlin.

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Hausvogteiplatz: Echoes of Berlin's Fashion Legacy

A brief summary to Hausvogteiplatz

Local tips

Getting There

Public Transport

Bus

Taxi/Ride-Share

Walking

Unlock the Best of Hausvogteiplatz

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Discover more about Hausvogteiplatz

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Hausvogteipl. & Mohrenstraße

Friedrichswerdersche Church

Saint Hedwig's Cathedral

Jungfernbrücke

Denkmal für den Völkermord an den Armeniern

Bebelpl.

Schinkelpl.

Berlin Wall Remains

Schlossviertel

Schlüterhof

Springbrunnen im Lustgarten

Lustgarten

Herbert-Baum-Denkmal

Unter den Linden

Zimmerstraße

Unmissable attractions to see

Memorial Fashion Centre Hausvogteiplatz

Mendelssohn-Gesellschaft

Former Reichsbank building

Werderscher Markt

Schillerbrunnen / Schillerdenkmal

Neue Kirche

Gendarmenmarkt

Hugenottenmuseum Berlin

Friedrichswerdersche Kirche

Französischer Dom

Konzerthaus Berlin

Französische Friedrichstadtkirche

Friedrichsgracht am Kupfergraben

SANKT HEDWIG MITTE

Schinkel Pavillon

Essential places to dine

BLESS Restaurant

Restaurant FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Charlotte & Fritz

Restaurant Maximilians Berlin

Bocca di Bacco

Nante-Eck

Restaurant Balthazar 2

Alt-Berliner Gasthaus Julchen Hoppe

Restaurant Tim Raue

Zur Gerichtslaube

Johnny's Bar - Karibisches Restaurant

Mutter Hoppe

Nobelhart & Schmutzig

Restaurant Dae Mon

Berliner Republik

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

The Square Berlin East

Galeries Lafayette

Wolford Boutique Berlin

Shop Passage im Humboldt Forum

BERLIN STORE

Vielfach Berlin -Das Kreativkaufhaus-

Redbear Berlin

Berlin Loves You

Mall of Berlin

I love Berlin

ausberlin

Hackesche Höfe

BERLIN Store - MUDDASTADT GmbH

THE CODE

AMPELMANN shop in the Hackescher Markt

Essential bars & hidden hideouts

Newton Bar

Charlie's Beach