Am Kupfergraben

Am Kupfergraben is a riverside street of just under 500 meters in Berlin's Mitte district, set in the historic Dorotheenstadt quarter. It runs along the canal that gives it its name, a section of the Spreekanal, and along the Spree itself. Via the Monbijou Bridge and the Iron Bridge (Eiserne Brücke), the street connects the riverbank with the famous Museum Island. Development here dates back to around 1580, though most of the buildings went up in the 18th century, after the river was regulated. Today the street is served by tram lines M1 and 12, making it easy to reach in the heart of the city.

Here you'll find a fascinating mix of culture, history, and modern architecture. The entrances to the Bode Museum and the Pergamon Museum, both reached by bridges, dominate the view. The landmarked Magnus-Haus houses the Berlin headquarters of the German Physical Society and commemorates important scientists such as Gustav Magnus. The former artillery barracks, which served as the Friedrich Engels Barracks in East German times, is now part of the German Historical Museum and hosts temporary exhibitions in its courtyard. Another highlight is the modern Haus Bastian, an art building by David Chipperfield that was donated to the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation. Memorial plaques also honor the philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and the mathematician Niels Henrik Abel, who both lived here.