All photos are taken by me, unless specified

If you plan to visit Berlin you should definitely visit this place, even if you're not an artist. ![Künstlerhaus_Bethanien_(31837444030).jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRwDKHXUbW6ZKGJ7ZEVhGRi1WJVVqtSZ9PVVhNaKSwkcY/Ku%CC%88nstlerhaus_Bethanien_(31837444030).jpg) Photo credit here The **Bethanien** is located in Berlin's Kreuzberg district. Now it's commonly used as cultural, artistic and social institution. You can come here and enjoy so many interesting and **free** exhibitions. It's all self-organized. Apart from the "Kunstraum", there are different artist studios, project spaces and more. ![01_Diakonissen_kl.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSMFvKn4n7XdS2vkjAGB9nGRadPuMbYFoyWxmE15K9RHF/01_Diakonissen_kl.jpg) Photo credit here

History

Founded in the 19th century by the order of Frederick William IV, it was born as an *hospital*, the Central Deaconess Bethanien House (*Central-Diakonissen-Haus Bethanien*). When declared closed on 1970, berliners didn't want to tear it down (*thankfully*!) and through passionate occupations and initiatives Bethanien remained active. Berliner's state placed it under monument protection and bought it. ![12821544_10208697568017977_1659180764046081596_n.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSbKfX9WxuHpBrmoRqdoqE8wvVCwhsDtKTq1gNj2u8N5e/12821544_10208697568017977_1659180764046081596_n.jpg)

Architects Ludwig Persius first and Stein after designed the establishment, and the main purpose was to create a place where nurses could be trained. Then they connected an hospital. The original Fontane Pharmacy is still located on the ground flood in the main building. Here the pharmacist Theodor Fontane worked during 1848-1849. ![IMG_2073.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRdMs18sHnk6FqyaR5iVXG345gjwZvYvZUz4D5yamcZLM/IMG_2073.JPG) You can also find an explicative poster, with original photos! ![IMG_2071.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYs921zTsDkToPMCfE7bjKKCoPdUvx31WjcVyxaniX66i/IMG_2071.JPG)

About the Gallery, now

The main focus are diversity, internationality and local relevance. If we talk about numbers: - 450 sqm - 200mt wall surface From outside it always reminded a magic castle as the Disney one, but in a *Tim Burton's* atmosphere! ![28053094_10215301925042775_790604557_n.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYKvc1NUMyH3MMH4rerhbtrrMoX8W9ep7gzMTo4LLF4qq/28053094_10215301925042775_790604557_n.png)

Here some photos I've taken during different exhibitions: ![19400142_10213194045387101_4916845346859835222_n.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmU7xVha7mUxG59cEBr6iHToWWsDxgabPiRdSxezdJojNq/19400142_10213194045387101_4916845346859835222_n.jpg)

![19429644_10213194045107094_2045022588420792611_n.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmb135WXgwvk8hq56oamLW3PKBRt3xuwXotcVJhAq3Du1z/19429644_10213194045107094_2045022588420792611_n.jpg)

![28054382_10215301925122777_1762010684_n.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTU2zhARnK49jjZTCc3uESFjsN4aoYjrWNxuMLRYW4xdk/28054382_10215301925122777_1762010684_n.png)

![28053406_10215301924642765_1090862444_n.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbSbsb6LqrUzpuebQvgqTf99KTw7HkVvydErs5YJXNVkY/28053406_10215301924642765_1090862444_n.png)

![28001245_10215301937323082_476470964_n.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSsC3umwovQ3jtfRnf4LBXVVnUTmHpjr3DiqZwFZKHWUL/28001245_10215301937323082_476470964_n.png) Address: mariannenplatz 2 10997 berlin u-bahn kottbusser tor phone:030/90298-1455 opening hours: daily : 11 am - 8 pm guided tours on demand free admission

*All photos are taken by me with my Huawei P8 Lite / Canon 1300D. Don't use without permission.* Read my Story #1 Read my Story #2 Read my introduction post wrote by my friend @bronsedi!