Box of matches

An air raid destroys large parts of the Hansaviertel; the post-war years are marked by gaps and temporary structures.

Urban planning competition for reconstruction: the district is to become a model for the modern city.

Interbau 57 – international architects build the new Hansaviertel in the Tiergarten.

The Wittler bakery’s shop on Altonaer Straße is completed. At the time, Wittler is among the largest and most modern bakeries in Europe.

The Academy of the Arts (Akademie der Künste) on Hanseatenweg opens— a place for art, debate, and encounter.

The U9 subway line begins operation; Hansaplatz becomes a new station and connects the district.

The GRIPS Theater is founded at Hansaplatz — a new political children’s theatre that continues to shape generations.

After the fall of the Wall, the Hansaviertel returns to the city’s center — calm, green, modern.

The Bürgerverein Hansaviertel e. V. is founded — residents advocate for preserving and sharing the modern heritage.

Interbau e. V. is founded — an initiative to promote architectural culture in the Hansaviertel.

For the Bauhaus anniversary, it becomes part of the “Grand Tour of Modernism” — bringing international attention to its architecture.

At Hansaplatz, GROTTO opens — another space for art and culture in the Hansaviertel.

After years of vacancy, the café is renovated in keeping with heritage protection and reopens its doors to residents and visitors of the Hansaviertel.

The art space GROTTO moves from Hansaplatz into a shop-window vitrine at the Schwedenhaus.