Teufelsberg: A Wasteland/ Wonderland

Some of you may have noticed my love of Berlin and it's vibrant street art scene. I couldn't then leave out one of the most impressive landmarks of urban re-appropriation I have visited- Teufelsberg.

Situated in the north of Berlin's Grunewald Forest, this remarkable architectural feat looms over rolling green hills and is tucked away in the wood, making the trek to find it quite an adventure once you enter the forest and are engulfed by trees.

Once you find it, entering is a surreal experience. Almost as though you have stumbled upon a post- apocalyptic wasteland.

Every inch of the site is adorned with artwork, even in the woods immediately surrounding the buildings there are otherworldly structures built out of found objects, tree houses and cars that would not look out of place in Mad Max.

Teufelsberg (Devil's Mountain) is a man- made hill which was created in the 20 years following the Second World War and is composed of approximately 75,000,000 m3 (98,000,000 cu yd) of debris from Berlin.

This gigantic mound covers an under-construction Nazi military-technical college (Wehrtechnische Fakultät) and during the Cold War, there was a U.S. Spy station on the hill, Field Station Berlin.

Visitors are able to climb up into the very summit of the structure, into the centre of the dome, where the incredible echoing acoustics are something to marvel at. The top of the tower also offers an amazing panoramic view of the city.

Teufelsberg is an awe inspiring place to behold and provides artists with an artistic haven, where they are given freedom to create vast artworks uninterrupted by the prying eyes of the public or the intervention of the authorities. And their glee is palpable, it is quite amazing to see these creatives in action, completely unencumbered by restrictions.

It has the feel of a community, in fact there are some small caravan like dwellings on the outskirts of the site where I assume some artists take residence while creating their work. Acoustic guitars lie on the ground nearby creating the impression of a modern hippy commune, a refuge from conservative society.

Teufelsberg, although not a new attraction, is strangely still somewhat unknown by tourists, and even Berliners.

It feels like a well kept secret, and walking around, it does feels like you have unearthed an urban wonderland.

There are guided tours available, but I would strongly recommend you make your own way around, so you can explore every nook and cranny of this unbelievable place.

For any contemporary art fans visiting Berlin, I would say this is a must! There is nothing else like it :)