Science Center Spectrum

The Spectrum Science Center in the Old Railway Depot

On Ladestraße in Kreuzberg stands a brick building that once belonged to the railway depot at Anhalter Bahnhof. It was designed by Franz Schwechten, who also designed the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and since 1990, it has housed the Spectrum Science Center. It is part of the German Museum of Technology, and a ticket for one also grants entry to the other. A precursor was already present at the museum’s opening in 1983, making Spectrum the first facility of its kind in Germany. Together, the museum and science center welcome over 700,000 guests annually. Those arriving by subway alight at Gleisdreieck and walk through the park; from the other side, the path leads from Anhalter Bahnhof. Backpacks and large bags must be stored in the lockers at the entrance, as they are not permitted in the exhibition.

Over 150 Stations Across Four Floors

Inside, more than 150 experimental stations are spread across four floors and nine themed areas. These include sight and perception, light, microcosm and macrocosm, heat, electricity and magnetism, force and energy, mechanics and motion, as well as music and sound. Colored light panels can be mixed to create new sounds, a pendulum demonstrates the Earth’s rotation, and in the witch’s house, your sense of balance gets confused. Additionally, there are student labs for Electricity and Optics for grades five to ten. In the neighboring Ladestraße, the special exhibition SuperCity 3000, co-developed by 60 children from four Berlin schools as future curators, runs until June 2027. Admission is free for those under 18; adults pay 15.00 Euros online.