Museum in der Kulturbrauerei

A historic building that tells its own story

The 25,000 m² building ensemble of the Kulturbrauerei, with its total of six courtyards, over 20 buildings, and distinctive architecture, is one of the few well-preserved 19th-century industrial architectural monuments in Berlin. Starting as a small brewing operation, the ensemble was built from 1878 according to the plans of architect Franz Heinrich Schwechten. The original use of the individual buildings is still visible today from the original inscriptions on the houses. Anyone entering the grounds quickly realizes: this place openly displays its history, even before entering a single exhibition room.

Museum in the Kulturbrauerei: GDR everyday life on 600 square meters

The museum in the former Schultheiss Brewery on the Kulturbrauerei grounds in Prenzlauer Berg presents the permanent exhibition “Everyday Life in the GDR”. Across 600 square meters, it illuminates the tension between the ideological demands of the SED government and the reality of everyday life in East Germany. The exhibition focuses on themes such as the SED’s influence on daily life, life in the collective, and the retreat of East Germans into private spheres, illustrated by around 800 original objects, over 200 documents, film and sound recordings, and biographical reports.

Staging instead of dry showcases

Through stagings such as an original GDR newspaper kiosk, a pub from Brandenburg, or a “Konsum” (consumer cooperative) shop, visitors gain a vivid impression of the everyday reality of East Germans’ lives. One quickly learns that the separation between state and personal life was hardly possible in the GDR. The entire regime was designed to accompany citizens in as many areas of life as possible. The audio guide with 20 listening stations in various languages can be borrowed free of charge and is also available on your own smartphone.

Current special exhibition: East Views

In addition to the permanent exhibition, the Museum in the Kulturbrauerei is currently showing the photo exhibition “East Views”. 35 years after reunification, it presents two photo series that examine East Germany from an East German perspective, exploring how people relate to their homeland, where traces of the GDR are still visible today, and how places change over time. The exhibition “Ostblicke. Photographs by Sophie Kirchner and Philipp Baumgarten” can be seen at the Museum in the Kulturbrauerei until April 12, 2026.

Admission is free. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 10 AM to 6 PM. It remains closed on Mondays.