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BBS - Berlin Guides Association

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BBS - Berlin Guides Association

We are Berlin's official tour guides association comprised of expert guides working in and around Berlin.

We use our network to establish partnerships with reputable museums and institutions and to further educate each other to become even better guides We are a Berlin guide association for experienced guides. We use our network to educate each other further to become even better guides.

18/05/2025

Behind the Curtains of Berlin's Art Deco Gem

Last week, our BBS excursion took us deep into the heart of Berlin’s cultural heritage – from the halls of the Kammergericht to the velvet seats of the Renaissance Theater.

At the Kammergericht, we explored the history and role of Berlin’s highest regional court. Even though photography inside was limited, the experience left a strong impression.

But the real spotlight fell on the Renaissance Theater – Europe’s only surviving Art Deco theater.
First glimpse of Europe’s only surviving Art Deco theater – right here in Berlin.
Inside, a masterpiece above greeted us: a chandelier that sets the tone for elegance and history.
Stepping into a time capsule – the view from the seats is as striking as the stage itself.

Our BBS group explored the building’s story, guided by a passionate expert.
Our BBS group exploring the story behind the façade – with a passionate guide at the helm.
From subtle ceiling designs with strong identity to playful yet refined lighting fixtures, every element reflected the spirit of the era.
Even the lights are storytellers.
And just when we thought we’d seen it all, a golden surprise waited on the wall –
A hidden gem: Art meets drama in every corner.

Thanks to everyone who joined, and to our generous hosts for letting us peek behind the curtains.

04/05/2025

We don’t really know how much beer was drunk on May 1st in Berlin
—but judging by the bottle-covered streets of Kreuzberg the next morning, it was a generous pour.

While crowds chilled in Mauerpark and kids rode the Ferris wheel at the at Kurt-Schumacher-Damm, the city’s political pulse beat loud and clear:
Over 5,700 police were deployed, and between 15,000–18,000 joined the demonstration.

Elsewhere, a techno rave in —cheekily titled —protested new fencing plans. The gathered at demanding better wages, and the satirical parade brought irony and edge to the leafy streets of West Berlin.

Berlin’s is never just a holiday—it’s a layered, noisy, and unforgettable look at the city’s many voices. And yes, there was beer.

11/04/2025

What Italy was for West Germans, Hungary became for the East.
No passports. No Mediterranean. But there was Lake Balaton.

East Germans came in the tens of thousands—camping, eating, resting, sometimes even escaping. Hungary offered warmth, flavor, and a glimpse of a world that felt slightly freer.

In our new blog post, we explore how this “socialist south” became a summer dream, and what memories still linger there today.

Read the full article
https://www.berlinguidesassociation.com/blog/east-germans-hungary-balaton

04/04/2025

On Monday, BBS members visited the visitor center of the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) for an exclusive lecture on Germany’s diplomatic work and foreign policy. While it wasn’t a full building tour, it offered valuable behind-the-scenes insights into one of the country's most influential ministries.

Located in a complex that bridges historical and modern architecture — from the former Reichsbank to the contemporary extension by Müller Reimann Architects — the setting itself sparked discussion on Germany’s evolving role in international affairs.

As always, this excursion was free for certified Berlin guides through their BBS membership — part of our commitment to continuous learning and deeper engagement with Berlin’s key institutions.

📚 Past excursions have included the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Want to stay informed, inspired, and connected?
Join us,
www.berlinguidesassociation.com/join-us

19/03/2025

The DDR Museum Depot has reopened—at a new location in Berlin-Marzahn.

Think of the or , grand monuments to ancient civilizations. The new DDR Museum Depot is something different—a public archive for a country that disappeared not in antiquity, but within our own lifetime.

At its new home on Schorenbergstraße 33, the DDR Museum now makes its vast collection visible in a new way. Over 12,000 original objects—from furniture and household appliances to toys and textiles—are now housed in a transparent, walk-in storage space that offers visitors a rare view into the material culture of everyday life in the former East Germany.

The depot is more than storage—it’s a working archive, an educational space, and a reflection on how we preserve recent history. A place where school desks, radios, and filing cabinets tell stories as vividly as statues and mosaics.

📍 Schorenbergstraße 33, Berlin-Marzahn

14/03/2025

The Gendarmenmarkt Shines Again – Free Tickets at the Französischer Dom

Berlin’s most beautiful square is back: After extensive renovations, the Gendarmenmarkt has reopened – now barrier-free, sustainably restored, and ready for the future.

To celebrate, the Französischer Dom (French Cathedral) invites visitors to its 40-meter-high observation deck – free of charge on March 15 and 16. From here, you can enjoy one of the best panoramic views in Berlin: across the square, toward the Humboldt Forum, Berlin Cathedral, and more.

🎟 25 free tickets are available per day – book yours online:
👉 https://franzoesischer-dom.berlin/de/tickets
After the free quota, discounted tickets are just €4.50.

🏛 A place full of history:
The French Church was built in 1705 by Huguenot refugees. The famous dome was added later (1780–85), designed by Carl von Gontard for Frederick the Great – not as a church, but as an elegant tower completing the square's symmetry. Severely damaged in WWII, it was rebuilt in the 1980s with a new viewing platform and carillon.

Whether you come for the view, the history, or the architecture – now is the perfect moment to rediscover this Berlin landmark.

📸 Photo credit: BESONDERE ORTE / https://show.pics.io/360-panorama-plattform

27/01/2025

Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we honor the voices of survivors and reflect on the lessons of history.

In a moving interview conducted by one of our members, Campbell Bews for the Berlin Guides Association (BBS), Holocaust survivor Leon Weintraub shared his extraordinary story. Now 99 years old, Leon recounted his childhood in Lodz, Poland, growing up in poverty, the unimaginable cruelty of the Lodz Ghetto, and his survival through Auschwitz, Gross-Rosen, and Flossenbürg concentration camps.

Leon credits his instincts, luck, and the ability to work as key to his survival, though it came at a devastating cost. His mother and other family members were taken to the gas chambers upon arrival at Auschwitz. He narrowly escaped death several times, once by blending into a group of workers, a decision that saved his life.

After the war, Leon rebuilt his life in Sweden, became a renowned obstetrician, and has spent his later years as an educator, sharing his story to fight racism and promote democracy. His latest book, *Reconciliation with Evil* (Kadmos, Berlin 2024), delves deeper into his experiences and his hope for a future where humanity triumphs over hate.

Campbell’s article captures not only the horrors Leon endured but also his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and teaching future generations.

The complete article can be found on our blog
https://www.berlinguidesassociation.com/blog/a-life-of-resilience-leon-weintraubs-journey-from-the-holocaust-to-hope

02/01/2025

If you are in Berlin, we hope you eat as much schnitzel and as many currywursts as possible, but don't forget about the döner kebab! This delicious street food was supposedly developed in Istanbul in the 1960s, but took off in popularity in Germany in the 1970s, as Turkish immigrants opened little restaurants selling food for on-the-go. The meat (usually beef or chicken) is cooked while spinning all day on a vertical spit. When you order, the meat is carved off, put either in a pita (kebab) or in a wrap (durum), with various sauces and veggies. They are not as cheap as they once were, but if you want a quick, delicious, and filling meal, let your nose lead you to the nearest döner stand!

26/12/2024

In the northwestern part of Berlin, you will find an industrial area home to the Borsig Factory, an locomative manufacturer. The Borsig Company was founded by August Borsig in 1827 and first located near the old Oranienburger Gate (where the U6 Oranienburger Tor subway stop is now), but soon after moved to a larger area outside of central Berlin. The area looks much different now than it did before, but the Borsig Arch is still there, a reminder of the industry the existed in Berlin prior to World War II.

19/12/2024

One of Berlin's most famous symbols isn't a building or a historic site, but rather the crosswalk man found on the pedestrian street signal lights! He is called the Ampelmann and was created by traffic psychologist Karl Peglau in 1961. The design was meant to be simple enough for children to understand, but also easy to produce. And it turned out to be very charming as well! After reunification, efforts were made to standardize all traffic and pedestrian signs, but the East German Ampelmännchen were so popular, that campaigns were held to save him. Those campaigns were successful, and now, not only can you still find the Ampelmännchen helping pedestrians to cross the street, you can also find him in stores as a souvenir in every form imaginable.

12/12/2024

Another one of our BBS excursions this year took our members to the Schloss (Palace) Bellevue, the office of the German President. The building was constructed for the Prussian royal family in the late 1700s and was first home to many mulberry trees, meant to provide a home for silkworms, since silk was a precious commodity back then. The mulberry trees did not survive long in the northern winters, but the palace remained an important location. It was bombed badly during World War II and ended up in the British Zone. The new West German government was headquartered in Bonn, but Schloss Bellevue was rebuilt in a simple and sleek manner to serve as a second location for the German president's office. After German reunification, Berlin again became the German capital, and Schloss Bellevue regained its importance. Today it serves as a place to host foreign officials, local ambassadors and diplomats, and tour guides interested in its history. We really enjoyed this peek behind the curtain of Germany's government!

05/12/2024

Back in the summer, members of the Berlin Guides Association had the great opportunity to explore a part of Berlin that most of us rarely visit with our guests - Luisenstadt in central Mitte. Our member Falko Hennig () developed this special tour after researching the history of this part of Berlin for a long time. The neighborhood is named after Queen Luise of Prussia. 100 years ago, Luisenstadt was what Silicon Valley is today. Among the factories located there were very important facilities for radio and radio technology, along with electromobility companies and the world's first airplane factory. Today the neighborhood is known for the Tresor night club and the prefabricated East German buildings, but you can discover the neigborhood's earlier history by going on a tour!

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The BBS - Berlin Guides Association

The Berlin Guides Association (Bündnis Berliner Stadtführer e.V) is the German capital’s official association of professional tour guides. We use our network to establish partnerships with reputable museums and institutions in and around Berlin and have the best tour guides that the city’s tourism industry has to offer, who offer energetic and educational tours in the native language of your choice: Bulgarian, Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Mandarin, Russian, and Swedish. We are Berlin.