Berlin LGBTIQ History Walking Tour

Berlin has long been a centre for LGBTIQ communities in Europe. Frederick the Great, Prussia’s legendary 18th century monarch is widely believed to have been gay; sexologist Magnus Hirscheld pioneered advocacy for homosexual and transgender rights in the early 20th century; Marlene Dieterich cross-dressed on the city’s screens in the hedonistic ‘20s; and Klaus Wowereit, mayor of the city from 2001 until 2014, was openly and proudly gay.
This 3-hour walking tour explores Berlin’s LGBTIQ scenes past and present, and, naturally, is open to all. Topics covered include the work of Magnus Hirschfeld, queer king Frederick the Great, persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany and homosexuality within the Nazi Party itself, the experience of LGBTIQ communities in East and West Berlin, and the queer scene in the hedonistic 1920s and in the 1990s as part of the burgeoning techno and club scene.

What's included:

• Professional, local guide

Not included:

• Gratuities
• Food and drink
• Public transportation costs
• Museum entry costs (none required for the tour)

What to expect:

Duration: 3 hours

Equestrian statue of King Friedrich II. of Prussia

Unter den Linden 9, 10117 Berlin, Germany

First up you will learn how the legendary Prussian king became a queer icon in the German capital.

30 minutes

Memorial to Homosexuals Persecuted Under Nazism

Ebertstraße, 10785 Berlin, Germany

Next we visit the official memorial for gay victims of National Socialism, and address the violent repression of homosexuality in Nazi Germany and gay personailities within the Nazi Party itself.

30 minutes

Tiergarten

Strasse des 17. Juni 100, , Berlin, 10557

Wander through the lush greenery of Berlin's 'Central Park' – a well-known meeting point for gay people.

30 minutes

Nollendorfplatz

10787 Berlin, Germany

Now it’s time to head to the heart of Berlin’s ‘Rainbow District’ – Schöneberg. A short walk away you will see where the Anglo-American author lived during the time he lived in Berlin, capturing the excitement and instability of ‘20s Berlin in the semi-autobiographical ‘Goodbye to Berlin’ and ‘Mr Norris Changes Trains’. Time will then be taken to visit one of the city’s oldest gay and trans bars and hear about the queer scene at the height of the hedonistic 1920s.

45 minutes

Hauptstraße

Hauptstraße, Berlin-Bezirk Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Germany

Next we see where Bowie lived during the time he spent in Berlin in the late 1970s, composing his ‘Berlin Trilogy’ with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti.

30 minutes

Schwules Museum

Luetzowstr. 73, Berlin, 10785

Our final stop is the Gay Museum in Kreuzberg, one of the world’s largest institutions for researching, preserving and communicating the history and culture of queer communities.

15 minutes