Buchstabenmuseum

After two decades of preserving Berlin’s typographic heritage, the beloved Buchstabenmuseum will close its doors on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Housed in the historic S-Bahn arches of the Hansaviertel, the museum has become a hidden gem for designers, artists, and anyone fascinated by the stories letters can tell. Now, you have one final chance to experience this one-of-a-kind collection.

Founded in 2005 by Barbara Dechant and Anja Schulze, the Buchstabenmuseum began as a grassroots initiative to rescue signage disappearing from the cityscape—letters from storefronts, factories, cinemas, and public buildings that once shaped Berlin’s visual identity. Since opening to the public in 2008, it has grown into the world’s largest collection of three-dimensional letters, with over 3,000 characters from Berlin and beyond.

More than a museum, it’s a living archive of urban history. As globalization and standardization reshape our cities, the Buchstabenmuseum has served as a vital space for documenting craftsmanship, regional identity, and the unique artistry of hand-built signage. It serves not only as a repository for letterforms but as a site for critical reflection on design, advertising, and the rapid changes shaping our urban environments.

Every letter holds a story—of typography, architecture, emotion, and change. Don’t miss your last chance!

When?
Now through Sunday, October 5, 2025
Open Thursday to Sunday, from 1 pm to 5 pm
Visits outside regular hours are available by guided tour.

Where?
Buchstabenmuseum e.V.
Stadtbahnbogen 424
10557 Berlin
Germany

Further information here.

© Vanishingberlin, Franziska Schönberner