Absolutely the best possible tour of Berlin! Our guide, Hilke, left us excited and overwhelmed with her knowledge and love for the city. She is highly professional, intelligent, knowledgeable, with an amazing sense of humor that is so charmingly true German! We loved every moment of this tour and will never forget it!
Thank you, Hilke!
Alan Heshel, United States,
Juni 2024
Hilke led the best tour of Berlin highlights - exceeding our expectations. She was very flexible to our needs. Her many years in Berlin provided an extra personal layer to the history of the area! And we saw bunnies and a fox - certainly not what we expected in a busy, vibrant city center!
Annie Ellis, United States,
Juni 2024
We had a wonderful day with Hilke . Very knowledgeable and a wonderful warm personality. Great sense of humour and combined the history with present day life . Highly recommend this guide.
Heather Cheyne, United States,
Mai 2024
Hilke's local and historical knowledge is vast.
She is pleasant, fluent in multiple languages, diplomatic, and, most important, knows more about her subject areas than we had time to discuss. We were a group of 5 with non-stop questions about German history, culture, food, art, our week's itinerary, and more; and Hilke addressed them all, explaining past events and how historians view them today. I wish we had more time to spend with Hilke. She's a gem!
Beth Gregg, United States,
Mai 2024
I booked Mrs Gerdes for some of my VIP clients and they were super happy with her services.
My clients spent a wonderful day with her ,a professional, dynamic and well informed tourist guide.
Mrs Gerdes is passionate about the city where she lives as well as about her job. She not only knows the history of Berlin so well, but she gives information that she has picked up that would not be part of what one learns on regular tours. I would highly recommend any tourist to spend time in Berlin with her.
N.N. Italien
April 2024
Hilke is a fabulous guide! We loved our Berlin Half Day City tour with her. Hilke was entertaining, informative and flexible. We strongly recommend her if you want to learn about Berlin now and in the past.
Michelle McGregor, Australien,
Okt. 2023
Very enjoyable guiding experience
Lewis Remele, United States
Sept. 2023
Hilke gave our family of 9 a wonderful tour of Berlin. She customized the tour for us and was very knowledgeable. I highly recommend her.
Steven Schleier, United States
Aug. 2023
Hilke was knowledgeable & fun. [...] This was a great tour of the highlights of Museum Island. Coming to Berlin? Book this tour.
Michael Hetsler, United States,
Juni 2023
She was FANTASTIC! She did a lot of pre-work to make sure I received the perfect tour based on my specific requests. Extremely knowledgeable and flexible on the fly. I really enjoyed spending the day with her and learned so much about Berlin!
Holly Linton, United States, Sept. 2022
Wow! Hilke was amazing! Our teenagers were dreading their third tour in 10 days. Hilke was able to adapt our tour to start in the neighborhood where they could see street art and then took us to see the sites that were interesting to them. She gave high level overviews but answered details when we asked. She has an incredible energy that got our kids interested. I wish we could bring her to every city! This is our 4th private tour and by far the best.
Tracie Kiachian, United States, Aug. 2022
Hilke was simply fantastic. Detailed knowledge of all of Berlin both past and current. Went out of her way to meet all of our needs. Would highly recommend. She was such a pleasure to have as our guide. Hope to see her again.
Ron Karpinsky, United States, Juni 2022
Herzlichen Dank noch einmal für die Führung. Es gab nur positive Rückmeldungen, alle waren sehr begeistert!
Internationale Konferenzteilnehmer, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin, Okt. 2021
Hilke's the best. Recommend her highly.
Harold Rosenberg, United States, Sept. 2021
If you want to see Berlin in its present glory - you need to see it through a tour with Hilke! She is absolutely amazing! ... I cannot recommend Hilke enough!
Peter Connelly, United States, Dez. 2019
Hilke was a delight to spend our first full day in Berlin with!
Ellen Patton, United States, Sept. 2019
… she is a terrific guide, extremely knowledgeable about history, art & architecture …
Katherine McInnes, Australien, Okt. 2019
One of the best tour guides we have ever used! A great start for a Berlin visit!
William Black, United States, Sept. 2019
Hilke is amazing! Very passionate about her city and Germany's history … We strongly recommend her.
Jorge Margain, Mexiko, Sept. 2019
Hilke proved to be an excellent guide creating a vivid and memorable journey around Berlin, based on our request to see some of the less well known sites and the street art of the city.
Adrian Savage, UK, September 2019
Hilke's knowledge, love for the city and kindness are first rate!
Mark Houghton, United States, Juni 2019
Hilke was a fantastic guide ... extremely knowledgeable ... very personable and friendly and just fun to walk and talk with.
David Albert, United States, April 2019
Incredible tour! Hilke was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and made our time with her most enjoyable.
Peter Atkinson, UK, April 2019
... I am glad we were able to spend a full day with Hilke!
Karen Smart, United States, März 2019
... She is a lovely person and made us feel very welcome.
Richard Morgan, United States, Okt. 2018
Hilke was a WONDERFUL guide ... It is hard to imagine a better guide to the highlights of vibrant Berlin.
James Hargrove, United States, Sept. 2018
Wonderful experience ... Highly recommended.
Janet Simula, August 2018
... She is hugely knowledgable and experienced, sociable and with lovely humour as well ...
Karen Lubner, United States, Juni 2018
Wonderful day, Hilke was like touring with a very well informed friend ...
Margaret Eldred, United States, Mai 2018
... We had her focus on the 1930's to mid 1940's, and she was extremely knowledgeable about all of the historical events, as well as the cultural and psychological issues during that time ...
Colleen Harker, United States, Mai 2018
... Knowlegeable, professional and funny. Very engaging. She made a special effort to include our younger daughter which we all appreciated. We would give her the highest of recommendations.
Kerry Wangberg, United States, April 2018
... We REALLY enjoyed her company and feel as if we have a friend in Germany for life! Most highly recommended!
Kevin Roche, United States, Dez. 2017
... We found Hilke to be both warm and accommodating as she shared her vast knowledge and enthusiasm of both cities with us ...
James Lewenauer, United States, Okt. 2017
Hilke was a fantastic guide in every way. She was deeply knowledgeable, sensitive and highly responsive ...
Dan Ross, United States, Okt. 2017
I highly recommend Hilke. She is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and efficient ...
Sarah Henderson, United States, Okt. 2017
Hilke made our Autumn day in Berlin most enjoyable ...
Richard Bartlam, United States
Okt. 2017
... Hilke was fun and personable, very organized, knowledgable, and informative ...
Edwin Ward, United States, Okt. 2017
Hilke was a wonderful guide who made our first trip to Berlin memorable. We were impressed with her ability ...
Deborah Burroughs, United States, Sept. 2017
Relief
Von der Kraft des Wassers zur Kraft des Wortes
In Fonte Salus. Steht man dort, wo die Brunnenstraße in die Travemünder Straße abbiegt, und legt den Kopf ganz weit in den Nacken, dann kann man genau das weit oben an der Wand des Eckhauses lesen. Die Inschrift ist Teil eines wundervollen Reliefs, das ein kleines, pavillonartiges Häuschen zeigt. Wer des Lateinischen mächtig ist, kann sich herleiten, dass dort „in der Quelle ist das Heil" geschrieben steht. Das wirft aber mehr Fragen auf, als es beantwortet: Was hat das Relief dort oben zu suchen? Warum steht ausgerechnet dort „In Fonte Salus"? Eine Quelle wird sich da oben wohl kaum befinden. Und was ist das für ein entzückendes Häuschen, das im Relief gezeigt wird? Die Antwort parat hat Historikerin Hilke Gerdes, für die dieser Ort, diese Inschrift und dieses Relief etwas ganz Besonderes sind. „Es deutet auf das hin, was sich hier vor 250 Jahren befunden hat: Mitte des 18. Jahrhunderts wurde hier eine mineralhaltige Quelle mit Heilwasser entdeckt", erklärt sie. Der Chemiker und Apothekersohn Andreas Sigismund Marggraf (1709-1782), der Entdecker des Zuckers in der Runkelrübe, untersuchte diese und bescheinigte ihr höchste Heilkraft. Hofapotheker Heinrich Wilhelm Behm (1708-1780) bekam 1751 von König Friedrich II. (1712-1786) die Genehmigung, daraus eine Heil- und Badeanstalt zu machen. Die Wasserqualität, teilte der Apotheker dem König mit, übertreffe die positiven Eigenschaften der berühmten Quellen in Bad Pyrmont und Bad Freienwalde. Frohgemut ließ sich Friedrich II., der Große, zu einer Förderung hinreißen - allerdings erst, nachdem er die Aussagen durch das „Obercollegium Medicum" hatte prüfen lassen. „Zu Ehren des Königs nannte man den Ort hier später Friedrichs-Gesundbrunnen", erzählt Hilke Gerdes.
In den folgenden Jahren machte sich Behm fleißig ans Werk: Er fasste die Quelle in Backstein und errichtete ein sechseckiges Brunnenhaus - dessen Abbild ist heute auf dem Relief an der Hauswand zu sehen. Um dieses Häuschen herum erstreckten sich weite Gärten mit Bade- und Trinkgebäuden, auf die es sich durch die Rundbogenfenster trefflich blicken ließ. Besonders gern kurte hier, wer unter Rheuma litt oder Augenprobleme hatte. Der Besuch von Königin Luise (1776-1810) im Jahre 1799 war ein großes Ereignis, an das später der neue Name des Bades erinnern sollte: Luisenbad. Die Kuranstalt erfreute sich zur Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts hin immer größerer Beliebtheit. „Erst kurte man, dann verband man die Kur mit Vergnügen", bringt Hilke Gerdes es auf den Punkt. Damals eröffnete an der Badstraße eine Schankwirtschaft nach der anderen. Zahlreiche Theater gesellten sich dazu. So wurde die Gegend um die Quelle ein beliebtes Ausflugsziel - an dem man auch weniger tugendhaften Vergnügungen wie dem Glücksspiel nachgehen konnte. Und es dauerte nicht lange, da boten auch einige Damen des horizontalen Gewerbes ihre Dienste in der Nähe des Bades an.
Der Fortschritt fordert häufig seinen Tribut, so auch hier: Der Wedding wuchs, die Badstraße auch. Als man Anfang der 1880er-Jahre in selbiger eine Kanalisation verlegte, wurde die Quelle verletzt und versiegte. An der Ecke Badstraße/Travemünder Straße erinnert das Relief an eine lange Badetradition. Heute befindet sich in den alten Gebäuden des ehemaligen Bades die Bezirkszentralbibliothek am Luisenbad. Vom Wasser zum Buche also. Von der Quelle, in der die Kraft liegt, zur Macht des geschriebenen Wortes. In verbo vis.
So geht's zum Relief:
Das Relief befindet sich hoch oben an der Hauswand am Gebäude Ecke Badstraße/ Travemünder Straße.
Copyright: Eva-Maria Bast
Absolutely the best possible tour of Berlin! Our guide, Hilke, left us excited and overwhelmed with her knowledge and love for the city. She is highly professional, intelligent, knowledgeable, with an amazing sense of humor that is so charmingly true German! We loved every moment of this tour and will never forget it!
Thank you, Hilke!
Alan Heshel, United States,
Juni 2024
Hilke led the best tour of Berlin highlights - exceeding our expectations. She was very flexible to our needs. Her many years in Berlin provided an extra personal layer to the history of the area! And we saw bunnies and a fox - certainly not what we expected in a busy, vibrant city center!
Annie Ellis, United States,
Juni 2024
We had a wonderful day with Hilke . Very knowledgeable and a wonderful warm personality. Great sense of humour and combined the history with present day life . Highly recommend this guide.
Heather Cheyne, United States,
Mai 2024
Hilke's local and historical knowledge is vast.
She is pleasant, fluent in multiple languages, diplomatic, and, most important, knows more about her subject areas than we had time to discuss. We were a group of 5 with non-stop questions about German history, culture, food, art, our week's itinerary, and more; and Hilke addressed them all, explaining past events and how historians view them today. I wish we had more time to spend with Hilke. She's a gem!
Beth Gregg, United States,
Mai 2024
I booked Mrs Gerdes for some of my VIP clients and they were super happy with her services.
My clients spent a wonderful day with her ,a professional, dynamic and well informed tourist guide.
Mrs Gerdes is passionate about the city where she lives as well as about her job. She not only knows the history of Berlin so well, but she gives information that she has picked up that would not be part of what one learns on regular tours. I would highly recommend any tourist to spend time in Berlin with her.
N.N. Italien
April 2024
Hilke is a fabulous guide! We loved our Berlin Half Day City tour with her. Hilke was entertaining, informative and flexible. We strongly recommend her if you want to learn about Berlin now and in the past.
Michelle McGregor, Australien,
Okt. 2023
Very enjoyable guiding experience
Lewis Remele, United States
Sept. 2023
Hilke gave our family of 9 a wonderful tour of Berlin. She customized the tour for us and was very knowledgeable. I highly recommend her.
Steven Schleier, United States
Aug. 2023
Hilke was knowledgeable & fun. [...] This was a great tour of the highlights of Museum Island. Coming to Berlin? Book this tour.
Michael Hetsler, United States,
Juni 2023
She was FANTASTIC! She did a lot of pre-work to make sure I received the perfect tour based on my specific requests. Extremely knowledgeable and flexible on the fly. I really enjoyed spending the day with her and learned so much about Berlin!
Holly Linton, United States, Sept. 2022
Wow! Hilke was amazing! Our teenagers were dreading their third tour in 10 days. Hilke was able to adapt our tour to start in the neighborhood where they could see street art and then took us to see the sites that were interesting to them. She gave high level overviews but answered details when we asked. She has an incredible energy that got our kids interested. I wish we could bring her to every city! This is our 4th private tour and by far the best.
Tracie Kiachian, United States, Aug. 2022
Hilke was simply fantastic. Detailed knowledge of all of Berlin both past and current. Went out of her way to meet all of our needs. Would highly recommend. She was such a pleasure to have as our guide. Hope to see her again.
Ron Karpinsky, United States, Juni 2022
Herzlichen Dank noch einmal für die Führung. Es gab nur positive Rückmeldungen, alle waren sehr begeistert!
Internationale Konferenzteilnehmer, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin, Okt. 2021
Hilke's the best. Recommend her highly.
Harold Rosenberg, United States, Sept. 2021
If you want to see Berlin in its present glory - you need to see it through a tour with Hilke! She is absolutely amazing! ... I cannot recommend Hilke enough!
Peter Connelly, United States, Dez. 2019
Hilke was a delight to spend our first full day in Berlin with!
Ellen Patton, United States, Sept. 2019
… she is a terrific guide, extremely knowledgeable about history, art & architecture …
Katherine McInnes, Australien, Okt. 2019
One of the best tour guides we have ever used! A great start for a Berlin visit!
William Black, United States, Sept. 2019
Hilke is amazing! Very passionate about her city and Germany's history … We strongly recommend her.
Jorge Margain, Mexiko, Sept. 2019
Hilke proved to be an excellent guide creating a vivid and memorable journey around Berlin, based on our request to see some of the less well known sites and the street art of the city.
Adrian Savage, UK, September 2019
Hilke's knowledge, love for the city and kindness are first rate!
Mark Houghton, United States, Juni 2019
Hilke was a fantastic guide ... extremely knowledgeable ... very personable and friendly and just fun to walk and talk with.
David Albert, United States, April 2019
Incredible tour! Hilke was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and made our time with her most enjoyable.
Peter Atkinson, UK, April 2019
... I am glad we were able to spend a full day with Hilke!
Karen Smart, United States, März 2019
... She is a lovely person and made us feel very welcome.
Richard Morgan, United States, Okt. 2018
Hilke was a WONDERFUL guide ... It is hard to imagine a better guide to the highlights of vibrant Berlin.
James Hargrove, United States, Sept. 2018
Wonderful experience ... Highly recommended.
Janet Simula, August 2018
... She is hugely knowledgable and experienced, sociable and with lovely humour as well ...
Karen Lubner, United States, Juni 2018
Wonderful day, Hilke was like touring with a very well informed friend ...
Margaret Eldred, United States, Mai 2018
... We had her focus on the 1930's to mid 1940's, and she was extremely knowledgeable about all of the historical events, as well as the cultural and psychological issues during that time ...
Colleen Harker, United States, Mai 2018
... Knowlegeable, professional and funny. Very engaging. She made a special effort to include our younger daughter which we all appreciated. We would give her the highest of recommendations.
Kerry Wangberg, United States, April 2018
... We REALLY enjoyed her company and feel as if we have a friend in Germany for life! Most highly recommended!
Kevin Roche, United States, Dez. 2017
... We found Hilke to be both warm and accommodating as she shared her vast knowledge and enthusiasm of both cities with us ...
James Lewenauer, United States, Okt. 2017
Hilke was a fantastic guide in every way. She was deeply knowledgeable, sensitive and highly responsive ...
Dan Ross, United States, Okt. 2017
I highly recommend Hilke. She is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and efficient ...
Sarah Henderson, United States, Okt. 2017
Hilke made our Autumn day in Berlin most enjoyable ...
Richard Bartlam, United States
Okt. 2017
... Hilke was fun and personable, very organized, knowledgable, and informative ...
Edwin Ward, United States, Okt. 2017
Hilke was a wonderful guide who made our first trip to Berlin memorable. We were impressed with her ability ...
Deborah Burroughs, United States, Sept. 2017
Absolutely the best possible tour of Berlin! Our guide, Hilke, left us excited and overwhelmed with her knowledge and love for the city. She is highly professional, intelligent, knowledgeable, with an amazing sense of humor that is so charmingly true German! We loved every moment of this tour and will never forget it!
Thank you, Hilke!
Alan Heshel, United States,
Juni 2024
Hilke led the best tour of Berlin highlights - exceeding our expectations. She was very flexible to our needs. Her many years in Berlin provided an extra personal layer to the history of the area! And we saw bunnies and a fox - certainly not what we expected in a busy, vibrant city center!
Annie Ellis, United States,
Juni 2024
We had a wonderful day with Hilke . Very knowledgeable and a wonderful warm personality. Great sense of humour and combined the history with present day life . Highly recommend this guide.
Heather Cheyne, United States,
Mai 2024
Hilke's local and historical knowledge is vast.
She is pleasant, fluent in multiple languages, diplomatic, and, most important, knows more about her subject areas than we had time to discuss. We were a group of 5 with non-stop questions about German history, culture, food, art, our week's itinerary, and more; and Hilke addressed them all, explaining past events and how historians view them today. I wish we had more time to spend with Hilke. She's a gem!
Beth Gregg, United States,
Mai 2024
I booked Mrs Gerdes for some of my VIP clients and they were super happy with her services.
My clients spent a wonderful day with her ,a professional, dynamic and well informed tourist guide.
Mrs Gerdes is passionate about the city where she lives as well as about her job. She not only knows the history of Berlin so well, but she gives information that she has picked up that would not be part of what one learns on regular tours. I would highly recommend any tourist to spend time in Berlin with her.
N.N. Italien
April 2024
Hilke is a fabulous guide! We loved our Berlin Half Day City tour with her. Hilke was entertaining, informative and flexible. We strongly recommend her if you want to learn about Berlin now and in the past.
Michelle McGregor, Australien,
Okt. 2023
Very enjoyable guiding experience
Lewis Remele, United States
Sept. 2023
Hilke gave our family of 9 a wonderful tour of Berlin. She customized the tour for us and was very knowledgeable. I highly recommend her.
Steven Schleier, United States
Aug. 2023
Hilke was knowledgeable & fun. [...] This was a great tour of the highlights of Museum Island. Coming to Berlin? Book this tour.
Michael Hetsler, United States,
Juni 2023
She was FANTASTIC! She did a lot of pre-work to make sure I received the perfect tour based on my specific requests. Extremely knowledgeable and flexible on the fly. I really enjoyed spending the day with her and learned so much about Berlin!
Holly Linton, United States, Sept. 2022
Wow! Hilke was amazing! Our teenagers were dreading their third tour in 10 days. Hilke was able to adapt our tour to start in the neighborhood where they could see street art and then took us to see the sites that were interesting to them. She gave high level overviews but answered details when we asked. She has an incredible energy that got our kids interested. I wish we could bring her to every city! This is our 4th private tour and by far the best.
Tracie Kiachian, United States, Aug. 2022
Hilke was simply fantastic. Detailed knowledge of all of Berlin both past and current. Went out of her way to meet all of our needs. Would highly recommend. She was such a pleasure to have as our guide. Hope to see her again.
Ron Karpinsky, United States, Juni 2022
Herzlichen Dank noch einmal für die Führung. Es gab nur positive Rückmeldungen, alle waren sehr begeistert!
Internationale Konferenzteilnehmer, Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin, Okt. 2021
Hilke's the best. Recommend her highly.
Harold Rosenberg, United States, Sept. 2021
If you want to see Berlin in its present glory - you need to see it through a tour with Hilke! She is absolutely amazing! ... I cannot recommend Hilke enough!
Peter Connelly, United States, Dez. 2019
Hilke was a delight to spend our first full day in Berlin with!
Ellen Patton, United States, Sept. 2019
… she is a terrific guide, extremely knowledgeable about history, art & architecture …
Katherine McInnes, Australien, Okt. 2019
One of the best tour guides we have ever used! A great start for a Berlin visit!
William Black, United States, Sept. 2019
Hilke is amazing! Very passionate about her city and Germany's history … We strongly recommend her.
Jorge Margain, Mexiko, Sept. 2019
Hilke proved to be an excellent guide creating a vivid and memorable journey around Berlin, based on our request to see some of the less well known sites and the street art of the city.
Adrian Savage, UK, September 2019
Hilke's knowledge, love for the city and kindness are first rate!
Mark Houghton, United States, Juni 2019
Hilke was a fantastic guide ... extremely knowledgeable ... very personable and friendly and just fun to walk and talk with.
David Albert, United States, April 2019
Incredible tour! Hilke was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and made our time with her most enjoyable.
Peter Atkinson, UK, April 2019
... I am glad we were able to spend a full day with Hilke!
Karen Smart, United States, März 2019
... She is a lovely person and made us feel very welcome.
Richard Morgan, United States, Okt. 2018
Hilke was a WONDERFUL guide ... It is hard to imagine a better guide to the highlights of vibrant Berlin.
James Hargrove, United States, Sept. 2018
Wonderful experience ... Highly recommended.
Janet Simula, August 2018
... She is hugely knowledgable and experienced, sociable and with lovely humour as well ...
Karen Lubner, United States, Juni 2018
Wonderful day, Hilke was like touring with a very well informed friend ...
Margaret Eldred, United States, Mai 2018
... We had her focus on the 1930's to mid 1940's, and she was extremely knowledgeable about all of the historical events, as well as the cultural and psychological issues during that time ...
Colleen Harker, United States, Mai 2018
... Knowlegeable, professional and funny. Very engaging. She made a special effort to include our younger daughter which we all appreciated. We would give her the highest of recommendations.
Kerry Wangberg, United States, April 2018
... We REALLY enjoyed her company and feel as if we have a friend in Germany for life! Most highly recommended!
Kevin Roche, United States, Dez. 2017
... We found Hilke to be both warm and accommodating as she shared her vast knowledge and enthusiasm of both cities with us ...
James Lewenauer, United States, Okt. 2017
Hilke was a fantastic guide in every way. She was deeply knowledgeable, sensitive and highly responsive ...
Dan Ross, United States, Okt. 2017
I highly recommend Hilke. She is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and efficient ...
Sarah Henderson, United States, Okt. 2017
Hilke made our Autumn day in Berlin most enjoyable ...
Richard Bartlam, United States
Okt. 2017
... Hilke was fun and personable, very organized, knowledgable, and informative ...
Edwin Ward, United States, Okt. 2017
Hilke was a wonderful guide who made our first trip to Berlin memorable. We were impressed with her ability ...
Deborah Burroughs, United States, Sept. 2017
