Treehouse on the Berlin Wall

The treehouse near Mariannenplatz is a two-story wooden structure built from salvaged materials and scrap pieces tucked between two trees. It fills a small triangular plot with practical living space created through resourceful construction.

Turkish immigrant Osman Kalin built this structure in 1983 on a small plot that sat between East and West Berlin. The location was technically in East German territory yet remained accessible from the western side.

The structure blends Turkish gardening traditions with Berlin's spirit of resourcefulness and immigrant creativity. Visitors can see how people from different backgrounds shaped their neighborhoods through hands-on building and everyday practices.

The treehouse sits within walking distance of Görlitzer Bahnhof U-Bahn station on the U1 line, with the walk heading north along Bethaniendamm. The location is accessible but sits on a small corner plot that can be easy to pass by without noticing.

Berlin authorities gave this treehouse its own official address despite it standing in a no-man's-land between East and West. This formal recognition turned an informal structure into an officially registered location.

Location: Berlin

GPS coordinates: 52.50600,13.42720

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:52