Dorf Rixdorf (village Rixdorf) or Böhmisch Rixdorf (Bohemian Rixdorf) is a little Berlin neighborhood, which is now part or Neukölln. Originally it was founded in 1737 by Protestant refugees from Bohemia.
The main sights of Rixdorf are the Bethlehemskirche (Bethlehem Church), which was rebuilt in 1693, the Schmiede (blacksmith), which was first mentioned in 1624, and the Kirchgasse (church alley) with its Bohemian style houses.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to enter the church or the smithy while I was there – nor did I find the farmhouse.
The best times to visit the neighborhood are probably the second Advent weekend, when the Christmas Market takes place (check out the Mädels with a Microphone podcast about this once-a-year event) or in the summer when the beergarden is open.
Before entering the actual village of Rixdorf I couldn’t help notice the rather unusual group of statues (and a water fountain turned off at the time) called Imaginäres Theater (imaginary theater) by GDR artist Hartmut Bonk. These statues are in stark contrast with the Friedrich Wilhelm I statue within the village. They kind of stick out in the video. But that’s Berlin: full of contrasting history and imagery.
However, I did not include a shot of the electronics store on the other side of Karl-Marx-Strasse, because that was starting to get too muddled. You’ll be able to check out a picture of that building and more in my In A Berlin Minute Flickr album.
The song “Hook it up” by Jason Matherne of Goonygoogoo Productions reminds me of the sound of church bells and a smithy banging on metal.
You can look at photos from this shoot on my personal blog: Photos of Bohemian Rixdorf, Berlin
