Exploring the artistic side of Berlin at Dead Chicken Alley.
There is no doubt about it… Berlin is one of the quirkiest cities around…
Dead Chicken Alley optimises the German capital…
Colourful, alternative, and just the right amount of edge!
Visiting the hidden spots in Berlin will fill up your travel itinerary very nicely, especially in the summer months.
Following my trip to Berlin, I have written about what you can expect when visiting Dead Chicken Alley, which has turned from an abandoned space in the city where locals creatively expressed their thoughts, into a popular tourist spot.
The quirky corner is free to visit and is also home to several bars, and a famous museum, so we will start with how you can visit.
Dead Chicken Alley is a popular hang out zone.
How you can visit Dead Chicken Alley.
Dead Chicken Alley is one of the most popular Instagram spots in the city, and it is easy to visit.
The alley is located at Haus Schwarzenberg, in the Mitte district of Berlin. The exact address is Haus Schwarzenberg, Rosenthaler Str. 39, 10178 Berlin, Germany.
If you are travelling by public transport:
U-Bahn (Subway).
The nearest U-Bahn station is Rosenthaler Platz (U8 line). From there, it’s about a 5-minute walk to Dead Chicken Alley.
S-Bahn (City Train).
You can also reach the area from Alexanderplatz by taking the S-Bahn or U-Bahn to Rosenthaler Platz.
Bus.
Several buses stop near Rosenthaler Platz. Check local bus routes for the best options depending on your starting point.
If you’re exploring Berlin on foot or by bike, the area is quite walkable and bike-friendly. Berlin’s extensive bike paths make it easy to reach Dead Chicken Alley from various parts of the city.
We stumbled across it on our way to the Television Tower.
Entering the famous spot.
What is Dead Chicken Alley?
Dead Chicken Alley, also known as Haus Schwarzenberg, is a narrow, vibrant alleyway located in the Mitte district of Berlin.
It's a hidden gem which we discovered in the city that is renowned for its eclectic mix of street art, graffiti, and alternative culture.
Our tour guide told us that the alley is named after a defunct punk band called "Dead Chickens," whose members were active in the area's underground scene.
You will find the walls of Dead Chicken Alley are covered with an array of street art, murals, and graffiti, making a great stop on your Berlin itinerary.
Spend some time observing the different messaging in the alley in detail, as it is a great way of understanding the local residents on a deeper level.
A picture perfect alley.
The history of the alley.
Dead Chicken Alley in Berlin's Mitte district is a vibrant testament to the city’s turbulent past and artistic spirit.
Originally part of Haus Schwarzenberg, which survived WWII bombings, the area became a haven for artists and alternative communities in the post-war era.
By the 1990s, following the fall of the Berlin Wall, it evolved into a cultural hub known for its street art and graffiti.
Named after the punk band "Dead Chickens," the alley reflects a rebellious counterculture. Today, it’s a must-see for visitors interested in Berlin’s underground scene.
Despite the pressures of gentrification, ongoing preservation efforts aim to keep its unique character intact, ensuring it remains a dynamic canvas for creative expression and a key part of Berlin’s cultural identity.
Admiring the street art in alley.
The outdoor seating is filled on an evening.
The famous Otto Weidt mural.
The Otto Weidt mural in Dead Chicken Alley is a significant and poignant piece of street art that pays tribute to Otto Weidt, a German businessman who saved many Jewish workers from the Holocaust during World War II.
During out alternative walking tour we were taught how Otto Weidt owned a workshop, where he employed and protected blind and deaf Jewish workers, creating brushes and brooms.
Through various means, including bribery and falsified documents, he managed to shield many of them from Nazi persecution.
His story is closely tied to this area, where the Museum Blindenwerkstatt Otto Weidt (Otto Weidt’s Workshop for the Blind) is located, further commemorating his efforts.
If you want to visit the museum, it is located in the same building complex as Dead Chicken Alley, known as Haus Schwarzenberg, and although it's not directly in the alley itself, it's part of the same cultural complex.
The museum showcases historical documents, photographs, and personal artefacts related to Otto Weidt’s workshop and the broader context of the Holocaust, and can be visited between 10am - 6pm most days.
This famous mural has been ever present in the alley.
A quirky art vending machine by Marius Schäfer.
You don’t come across street art vending machines very often!
Berlin-based street artist Marius Schäfer turned his quirky vision into reality in the streets of Berlin though.
There are around 20 of the vintage style machines dotted around the city, and one sits on the wall in Dead Chicken Alley, an ideal spot where visitors resonate with the surrounding art environment.
The machines are repurposed old cigarette dispensers, but instead of tobacco, they offer small, packaged artworks from various local artists, all for an affordable price.
These machines are about breaking down the barriers between artists and the public, offering a sense of discovery and engagement with art in an unexpected way
It is a great way to take a little bit of the artistic subcultures of Berlin home with you!
One of Marius Schäfer’ art vending machines.
A canvas for Berlin’s boldest street artists.
I noticed some ‘out there’ murals throughout the alley, which were both thought provoking and humorous.
As you would expect, the fraternal kiss is displayed inside the alley in several different areas.
One of many 'out there' graffiti pieces.
After we had enjoyed the murals at the East Side Gallery, it was nice to see smaller pieces of art!
It is easier for the locals to express their message in smaller hidden spots in the city, so you can expect to see some surprising drawings or statements in the alley.
A random mix of artwork.
An ever-changing inclusive zone
Unlike in other parts of Berlin, where graffiti might be restricted or removed, Dead Chicken Alley is a space where artists are encouraged to express themselves without censorship.
This inclusivity attracts a diverse range of artists, from local creators to international street art legends.
The urban art scene in Berlin is dynamic though, with the street art murals changing often, reflecting different themes or trends within the subcultures of the city.
A very colourful mural.
The alley is part of Haus Schwarzenberg, which is a privately owned cultural complex, where the owners, and the community that manage the space are dedicated to preserving it as an alternative cultural hub.
Alternative art is promoted in the alley, and the mission is fundamental to keeping Dead Chicken Alley open to all forms of street art, encouraging a diversity of styles and voices.
So you can expect Dead Chicken Alley to express the local’s feelings and thoughts long into the future!
The Anne Frank Zentrum.
With Dead Chicken Alley being located in a cultural and historical hub in Berlin, it focuses heavily on educating visitors about the history of the city, along with Nazi Germany.
The Anne Frank Zentrum features exhibitions that explore her life in the context of the Nazi era, emphasising themes of tolerance, human rights, and the dangers of discrimination.
You will spot her mural at the end of the alley, which is a striking piece of art, and right next to the entrance to the zentrum.
The educational centre juxtaposes the modern flair which fills the walls of the alley, creating a poignant atmosphere!
If you want to enter inside the Anne Frank museum, you will need to visit between 10am - 6pm.
Anne Franke mural.
The best walking tour that includes Dead Chicken Alley.
If you enjoy the gritty charm of Dead Chicken Alley, why not dive even deeper into Berlin's vibrant subculture?
Discover the city's most offbeat and intriguing spots on the Berlin Alternative Walking Tour, which is the perfect way to experience Berlin beyond the usual tourist trails.
This tour takes you behind the scenes of the city's thriving street art scene, introduces you to its underground history, and uncovers the stories behind Berlin's most creative and rebellious neighbourhoods.
Led by passionate local guides, you'll explore hidden courtyards, artist studios, and iconic graffiti spots, each with its own story to tell.
This tour offers an insider's look at the Berlin that locals love - We loved discovering unexpected areas of the capital!
Book your spot now and see why this is one of the top-rated tours in the city!
Ready to see Berlin through a different perspective?
The highly rated alternative walking tour in Berlin.
Secure your spot now.
Some other awesome street art cities.
One of my favourite activities when travelling is to find the hidden street art, and quirky corners!
Here are some other destinations which had fascinating street art!
The street art in Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina has an amazing, but tragic story behind it.
Alekse Šantića Street is the main location for the colourful murals in the charming town, and the story behind the art is tragic, as it is the same place where the war took place just decades ago.
There are still bullet holes in the surrounding buildings!
On my trip to the Middle East, I found some awesome street art in Amman, the capital of Jordan.
There is a range of different themes expressed through the art, and the recent movement has certainly brightened up the dull coloured city. Many of the famous murals can be found in Rainbow Street.
Heading over to Central America takes us to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.
The gritty city was exactly how I expected, with a hispanic feel, however, the downtown murals will add some International flair to your day exploring San Jose.
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