View Friedrichstrasse from the Berlin train station by Eus Driessen

About "View Friedrichstrasse from the Berlin train station"

by Eus Driessen

About the artwork

Friedrichstraße is an important shopping street in the eastern part of Berlin, in the districts of Mitte and Kreuzberg. The important Berlin Friedrichstraße station is also on this street. The Spree River is located directly behind this station.

From 1800 to World War II
In the March Revolution of 1848, Friedrichstraße, in particular the junction with Jägerstraße, was a historic site: street fighting took place, drawing the royal army away from the city. A plaque recalls the events.

In the 19th century, Friedrichstraße, due to Berlin's metropolitan function, became more important: expensive hotels, restaurants and artists' studios settled here and attract many guests. On the north side of the Friedrichstrasse station, the hotel "Franziskaner" is operated from 1927 to 1945. Ernst Barthels operates this restaurant with 2500 seats. It was destroyed at the end of World War II. In 2008, the area was sold to an investor, who has now realized a new hotel and office building here. During construction, cellars and foundations of the former site came to light. Around the early 20th century, Friedrichstraße was considered a trading center for precious stones and gold and was a center of prostitution.

With the construction of the railway to and from Berlin and the foundation of the Friedrichstraße station in 1882, the great importance of this road is definitively established. All early 20th century images and photographs show a densely built-up, busy and lively street