Elevated railway structure Schönhauser Allee

It is strange to think of a subway running over a viaduct. To avoid the technical difficulties involved in digging a tunnel under the Spree and local buildings in the early 20th century, the Berlin government opted for a cheaper alternative: an elevated railway. The elegant construction by U-Bahn architect Alfred Grenander was given the nickname “municipal umbrella,” as it protected strolling city residents from the weather. When it was built, the viaduct was opposed by property owners concerned their buildings would shake, shop owners worried about falling profits, residents dreading the noise, and passengers shocked by the proposed ticket prices. Today it is designated as a historic landmark.