This Unusual Rooftop Playground is Berlin's Next Big Hotspot
Nestled atop a former Jewish Girls’ School in Mitte, the Rooftop Playground brings high-art to Berlin’s skyline in a colourful, playful interactive exhibition. Recently opened by Michael Fuchs Gallery, the rooftop spielplatz (playground) presents a flurry of oversized sculptures and installations that also serves as a playground for children, and a unique hang-out spot for in-the-know Berliners.
Playground in the sky
In 2011, entrepreneurial gallery owner Michael Fuchs secured a 30-year lease for the long-abandoned former Jewish girls’ school located in Mitte. Together with his art consultant wife, Constance Breton, they transformed the building into a central hub for art, gastronomy and culture. Breton as a soon-to-be mother of two, dreamt up the idea to place the Rooftop Playground atop the converted school. After noticing that there were few places for children to interact with art from an early age, Fusch and Breton commissioned ten artists to create oversized, interactive pieces for their unique playground.
The final product is a portal into a fantasy world, created for children, that can still be enjoyed by adults. The works themselves are a bold mix of playful structures, that double as playground-style fun. Mexican artist, Gabriel Rico created a quirky, über-German sausage swing and a large bone-shaped slide. Children’s book author and artist Tomi Ungerer produced a large zebra-striped Trojan horse, while Leiko Ikemura’s statuesque rabbit-teepee and Olivia Berckemeyer’s Mickey Mouse can be hidden beneath, climbed and become animated at night.
The art, food and culture hub for all ages
The Rooftop Playground is the latest edition and crowning glory to the already trendy Mädchenschule, House of Art and Dining Culture. When Fuch secured the lease in 2011, the building was restored to its former glory, after decades of standing empty. It has since become the home for several galleries including the Michael Fuchs Galerie, Eigen+Art Lab and CWC Gallery. These have been joined by exclusive culinary projects: Pauly Saal Restaurant and Bar – serving up Berlin’s roaring 20s and Mogg – bringing classic New York style food culture to Berlin. It has long been a destination for adults, looking to explore contemporary art and outstanding food in the city, but now the House of Art and Dining Culture is also a haven for children, with high-art, and an available to visit by appointment only, playground.
Taking away the stand-offish and often exclusive reputation of the art world, the sky-high shiny spielplatz is a surreal, colourful blend of high-end art and practical fun, sure to bring out the inner child in us all.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.