Modersohnbrücke

A Steel Bridge over the Railway Yard

Between Ostkreuz and Warschauer Straße, a road bridge spans a railway yard so wide that the view to the west opens up over half of Berlin. The Modersohnbrücke is not a sight in the usual sense: it has no benches, no kiosk, and no ticket. It is a steel structure with an arch over the roadway, a good seventy-two meters long and just over twenty meters wide, used by cars, bikes, and pedestrians. Nevertheless, it has become famous for something that costs nothing and cannot be booked: when the sun sets, it stands precisely at the end of the tracks, and the light travels over the rails towards the bridge. Then, people stand there with drinks and cameras, side by side, waiting together to see how red the sky will become. Those who arrive early enough can still find a spot at the railing. Meanwhile, trains roll towards Ostkreuz beneath the bridge, providing a unique soundscape.

Why it Works for a First Date

For a first date, this is an unusually good starting point. The visit lasts as long as you want, costs nothing, and obliges you to nothing. You stand side-by-side instead of face-to-face, look in the same direction, and immediately have something to observe if the conversation falters. Afterwards, the surroundings offer themselves: within a few minutes’ walk, you can reach the RAW-Gelände, the venues around Revaler Straße, or the small Kiez district south of Ostkreuz with its bars and cafés. One note, however: on the western side, a construction fence with a pipeline behind it has narrowed the sidewalk for some time, so pedestrians must use the bike path there. A little caution is advised, especially when it’s busy. Nevertheless, the Modersohnbrücke remains one of those places where Berlin shows its best side without any entry fee. The journey there is also worthwhile, as the surrounding streets are full of unique shops only found in Friedrichshain.