Abandoned Berlin is an attempt to document the past, uncover hidden history and preserve the memory of neglected glories – as they are now.

Every floorboard that creaks, every curtain that flutters or paint that flakes has a tale begging to be told. Most have tales that should be told before they’re lost to uncaring time, stories that cling tentatively for survival in the ruins of decay.

This project started in 2009 when the lure of untold wonders was calling from the other side of a threatening fence outside an abandoned amusement park. It was such a magical experience that the author was compelled to share it with instructions for others to enjoy it as well.

One story led to another and it quickly became a documentation project to record the city’s ruins and derelict places before they’re gone. It has since spawned two books, documentaries, a growing number of short films, t-shirts, and many imposters.

The motto remains the same – "If it’s verboten it’s got to be fun."

Some people don’t like that that site publishes addresses for these places. They argue that vandals and visitors are taking their toll. And it’s true – if no one knew of these places then only nature would take its toll.

But the city is a greedy beast. Developers have already destroyed many of the places already featured on this site, and vandals were able to find them long before they ever appeared on Abandoned Berlin. Vandals do not go looking on the Internet for places to vandalize – they’re not that smart.

So addresses are published and instructions are provided so people may see these places before they’re gone. That was the driving force behind writing about Spreepark for the very first place – it was too good not to share.

We also live in a volatile world – there’s no preserving anything the way it was. If our esteemed leaders somehow avoid turning our planet into an uninhabitable wasteland, it will all get swallowed up by the sun some day anyway.

So it’s only when these buildings are still standing, while they’re rotting and crumbling, that it’s still possible to see them and imagine them as they were in their heyday.

Of course, the thrill of being caught only adds to the pleasure. People who don’t see that miss the point. “Eintritt Verboten” is an invitation, and it should never be refused.