Musica di strada - Italians in Prenzlauer Berg
Trade, crafts & music
From the middle of the 19th century, Italians were drawn from the northern Italian mountains into the world. Around 14 million people left their homes between 1861 and 1914 in search of better living and working conditions. One goal was the growing metropolis of Berlin, where the settlement of Italians was concentrated on Prenzlauer Berg. With their special craftsmanship and professions, they shaped the district for decades. The company Cocchi, Bacigalupo & Graffigna from Schönhauser Allee became world famous with the production of barrel organs and orchestrions.
In the exhibition, some of them are shown alongside other mechanical musical instruments. As part of the multi-year modernization and renovation of the Märkisches Museum, this unique collection from the Berlin City Museum is being loaned to the Pankow Museum.
The exhibition combines the settlement and migration history of the Italians with the history of mechanical music.
Regular demonstrations bring the history of the instruments to life. The exhibition is complemented by an extensive accompanying program with events for children and school classes, music events, cinema series, city rallies and guided tours.
Exhibition period: 09.06.2023 to 19.10.2025
Location: Museum Pankow, Prenzlauer Allee
Prenzlauer Allee 227/228, 10405 Berlin
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(closed on public holidays)
Closed from 23.12.2024 up to and including 06.01.2025