Bernau near Berlin – Bauhaus, City Wall and Church Art

If you are looking for a hotel in Bernau near Berlin, consider the purpose of your trip: Bauhaus, the city fortifications and ecclesiastical art history offer different points of interest. Bernau lies about 10 kilometres northeast of Berlin. Its history can be explored first-hand at the UNESCO World Heritage site, the city wall, museums and churches. This gives you an idea before booking of the themes Bernau has to offer during your stay.

The Bauhaus in Bernau

The ADGB Trade Union School in Bernau is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau and Bernau”. The Bauhaus complex was designed and built between 1928 and 1930 under Hannes Meyer and Hans Wittwer, with all Bauhaus workshops involved. The combination of architecture and workshop participation brings to life its creation as a collaborative Bauhaus project. The visitor centre provides information and educational interpretation of Bauhaus as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It opened in 2022; check the current opening arrangements before your visit.

The City Wall and Stone Gate

Bernau’s historic city wall is remarkably well preserved. The original fieldstone fortification, 1.5 kilometres long and about eight metres high, had three gates and two round towers. The Stone Gate is the city’s only surviving town gate and has housed a museum since 1882. The dimensions give a sense of the former extent of the fortifications, while the Stone Gate draws attention to a single surviving gate and its history as a museum.

Church Art and Museum History

Romanesque round arches dating from around 1200 are located on the north side of St Mary’s Church. The altarpiece was created in 1511 in the circle of Lucas Cranach the Elder. About three centuries separate the Romanesque architectural features from the altarpiece created in 1511, bringing different periods in art history to life in Bernau. The Executioner’s House Museum focuses on Bernau’s history of executioners and displays a 16th-century executioner’s sword as well as a bourgeois interior. Its exhibits complement the church art with another aspect of the city’s history.

The Hussite Festival and Getting There

During the Hussite Festival, Bernau’s historic centre becomes the setting for a medieval-themed event featuring performers, a market and a historic parade. Check the dates and programme before your trip. Bernau can be reached from Berlin by S-Bahn line 2 and regional train. By car, the city is accessible via the B2 or A11. Check timetables before setting off; road conditions and traffic may vary.

Bernau in the Barnim Region

Bernau lies on the edge of Barnim Nature Park. The wider Barnim destination also has its own architectural heritage focus: Chorin Monastery is a key work of North German Brick Gothic architecture. This makes it possible to view Bernau’s Bauhaus history and the monastery’s Brick Gothic architecture as distinct architectural themes.

Discover more destinations: Lindow, Schönow, Börnicke, Friedrichswalde, Werneuchen, Chorin, Parsteinsee, Oderberg.

Go to the wider travel overview: Barnim.