• Denkzeichen Modezentrum Hausvogteiplatz - The three large mirrors evoke memories of Berlin’s fashion history. As you ascend from the subway to Hausvogteiplatz, you’ll find tributes to numerous predominantly Jewish entrepreneurs who made their mark here.
• Hausvogteiplatz - This area was once the heart of Berlin’s fashion industry.
• Haus zur Berolina - The Haus zur Berolina was once a hub for the textile trade. It stands as one of the few remaining buildings that commemorate the success of Berlin’s fashion scene.
• Markgrafenstraße - The Hardy Bankhouse was once located here. Billy Joel, known for hits like Leningrad, My Life, and Piano Man, rose to fame in the 1970s. Discover how the former bank played a role in the expropriation of Billy Joel’s grandfather.
• Gendarmenmarkt - Often considered the most beautiful square in Berlin, the Gendarmenmarkt was significantly influenced by Huguenot immigrants who brought various trades and contributed to the development of fashion.
• Jägerstraße - The company Küchler & Pinkus was once based here. This area was home not only to fashion companies but also to fashion illustrators and intermediaries like Kurt Ehrenfreund, whose story is preserved and shared here.
• Mendelssohn-Remise - The Mendelssohn coach house and its exhibition narrate the story of the Mendelssohn family. The Mendelssohn Bank, one of over 400 private Jewish banks in Germany in 1935, once stood here. Less than four years later, none remained. This example provides insight into the brutal process of Aryanization.
• Oberwallstraße - The Mannheimer brothers were pioneers in Berlin’s fashion industry, and their former clothing store still stands.
• Oberwallstraße - At the corner of Jägerstrasse, locals referred to this area as the “Indifferent Corner.” The Niquet was also located here. Learn how seasoned businesspeople exchanged ideas and conducted business in the past.
• Werderscher Markt - The oldest department store in Berlin, the Gerson department store, was once located nearby. Gerson was a pioneer in Berlin’s fashion industry, and living mannequins flown in from Paris made a significant impact.
• Brüderstraße - Away from the bustling tourist area around the Berlin City Palace, you’ll find the preserved Hertzog department store, one of Berlin’s premier shopping destinations.
• Mühlendamm - The Köllnischer Fischmarkt was once situated at the corner of Mühlendamm and Fischerinsel, where Leineweber opened a branch in the 19th century. The later owner, Tengelmann, was involved in Aryanization. Many leading fashion companies have yet to fully address their history since 1933, leaving a dark stain on their legacy.
• Museum Knoblauchhaus - The Knoblauch family has a long tradition and was active in the textile trade.
• Nicholas Quarter - The Israel department store once stood between today’s Spandauer Strasse and Mühlendamm. The owner, Israel, was a descendant of protected Jews who came to Berlin. The department store was a tragic site of the Jewish boycott on April 1, 1933.

• 2-hour city tour with a certified guide

• food and drinks

Currently, there is no trace of the once-thriving Berlin clothing store at Hausvogteiplatz. In the 1920s, Berlin ranked among the top five cities in international fashion, often mentioned in the same breath as Paris, Milan, or New York.

Today, gain a glimpse into the history of Berlin’s clothing industry and discover the trailblazers of fashion. Experience the era’s trends, including living mannequins, fashion shows, and fashion magazines. This tour also reveals the tragic and brutal Aryanization that impacted the entire industry.

Forgetting our ancestors is the greatest disservice. By joining this tour, we honor a valuable industry that was dismantled by the Nazi regime. Berlin has never fully recovered from this loss.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.