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Blick von oben auf ein Flugzeug, dass an einer Stahlkonstruktion hängt. Eine Hochbahnbrücke auf der gerade eine orange-gelbe Bahn fährt, kreuzt eine Straße und einen Flusslauf. Im Hintergrund erkennt man mehrere Gebäudedächer. Der Himmel ist blau, aber stark bewölkt.

Buildings and Grounds

The Deutsches Technikmuseum is located right next to “Gleisdreieck,” which was Berlin’s main rail hub in the early 20th century. Today six different modes of transport cross there: a waterway in the form of the Landwehr Canal, roads, railroad tracks, S-Bahn and U-Bahn lines, and the flight paths of airplanes

Important Locations in Berlin`s Transportation History

Parts of the Museum are located on what was once the “Anhalter Bahnhof” freight depot and maintenance facility. The buildings were designed by Franz Schwechten, who was also the architect of Berlin’s Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The landmarked Engine Sheds, where the Rail Transport exhibition is now located, date to 1874. The preserved east side of the station building now houses the Science Center Spectrum, whereas the depot warehouses behind it host the Road Transport exhibition (called “On the Move”) and “The Network” as well as our special exhibitions.

 

Station building of the “Anhalter Bahnhof” freight depot on Tempelhofer Ufer, ca. 1880. The Science Center Spectrum is now located in the brick building on the left.

SDTB, Historisches Archiv

The “Anhalter Bahnhof” maintenance facility, with engine sheds and water tower, in 1938.

SDTB, Historisches Archiv / W. Pragher

In 1938, steam locomotives regularly crossed the Landwehr Canal on the Anhalt Railway bridge.

SDTB, Historisches Archiv / W. Pragher

Main Entrance: From Block Ice Production to Museum Portal

Schwarzweiß-Foto: Frontalansicht eines großen, vierstöckigen Backsteingebäudes. Im Erdgeschoss führen große Torbögen ins Innere.
The building on Trebbiner Straße that now serves as the Deutsches Technikmuseum’s main entrance belonged to the Markt- und Kühlhallengesellschaft when this picture was taken, ca. 1908.
SDTB, Historisches Archiv

The historic building on Trebbiner Straße that now serves as the Museum’s main entrance was built around 1908 as a residence, factory, horse stable, and office building for Carl Linde’s Markt- und Kühlhallengesellschaft, a producer of block ice. The Museum’s Förderverein (Museum Friends’ Association) had its first office here. Thanks to the efforts of this booster organization, in 1980 the entrance building started being transformed into exhibition and office space for the museum of technology then being planned.

 

The New Building: A Berlin Landmark

The New Building opened in 2001. It was designed by Berlin architects Ulrich Wolff and Helge Pitz. Its 12,000 square meters of space, distributed over four levels, house the Shipping and Aviation exhibitions as well as the collection that once belonged to the Zucker-Museum. A Douglas C-47B Skytrain, known to Berliners as a Rosinenbomber (Raisin Bomber), is suspended over the terrace and has become the symbol of the Deutsches Technikmuseum.

In the near future, we plan to build a new main entrance between the Science Center and the main building. It will both welcome visitors and connect the Museum’s existing buildings.

Museum Park: An Oasis for Relaxation and Learning

The twelve-hectare Museum Park is something special. It contains a historic brewery, functioning windmills, and a working forge – complete with a waterwheel. In addition, it provides visitors with a beautiful natural setting where they can take a stroll and relax. It’s a green oasis in the middle of Berlin.

Blick von oben auf ein Gebäudeensemble aus Backstein, umgeben von grünen Bäumen. Hinter den Gebäuden stehen ein Wasserturm und ein Schornstein.
An oasis in the big city. The spacious Museum Park is a great place to relax.
SDTB / C. Kirchner