Magdalenenstrabe station, Berlin, Germany Sunday 3, March, 2024. © Mark Pearson
Steeped in artistic and architectural allure, the station, envisioned by Swedish architect Alfred Grenander in 1930, endured a brief closure in 1945 before a meticulous restoration in 2004–05. Adorned with verdant panels and columns, it hosts 20 abstract artworks by East German luminaries Wolfgang Frankenstein and Hartmut Hornung, offering a vivid portrayal of the German workers' movement's history. A pivotal moment in 1995 saw the culture department of the Berliner Senat thwart plans to obscure these treasures with advertisements, ensuring their preservation for future generations.