The most famous avenue in Berlin

The Kurfürstendamm, also known as Ku’damm is one of the most famous avenues in Berlin and is considered one of the symbols of capitalist consumption during the Cold War.

The street takes its name from the ancient Kurfürsten (Electors), of the Holy Roman Empire.

In 1873, the German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck wrote a letter to the cabinet secretary in which for the first time the idea of transforming this street into a boulevard was presented. Only in 1875 Bismarck managed to impose his idea, which would lead to the widening of the road to more than 53 meters. In 1886 the construction began.

When the Berlin Wall was built, the Kurfürstendamm became the quintessential shopping street in West Berlin, where the Kempinski Hotel, theaters, shops, and all fashionable shoe stores were located. If this is hard to imagine, look up the historical series Ku’damm on Netflix, for a glimpse of those times. It wasn’t much different than shopping in Manhattan 😉

It was only fit that this glamorous location would be used in 1989 for the first Love Parade. Our tour guides can tell you all about this, and more, as most Berlin roads, and just as many stories, lead to Ku’damm!