Discover the vanishing art installation on the site of the former Chausseestraße checkpoint, inspired by the real-life rabbits of Berlin
Berlin is a city known for Cold War history. This often means Berlin Wall remnants or museums and monuments, but at street level you’ll find one of Berlin’s most touching installations: The Kaninchenfeld ( Rabbit Field).
The Berlin rabbit installation originally featured 120 brass rabbit silhouettes, today only a dozen or so remain- and there’s a good chance that some of them will be lost soon. If you want to see this poignant nod to Berlin history, you’ll need to act fast.
Kaninchenfeld: The Story Behind the Rabbits of Berlin
Berlin was divided literally and ideologically into East and West for almost 30 years, divided and restricted by the Berlin Wall: actually a complex series of measures, consistently reinforced and expanded across its lifetime.
At the centre of the dividing border, the Death Strip, a no-mans land of raked sand and gravel, flood lit by night and designed to offer no hiding place for would-be escapees.
Only one community moved around the border area without fear: the rabbits of berlin. Free form human interference, they made the land between East and West home. Free to scamper and tunnel with no regard for borders, guards or politics, the rabbits came to represent the freedom the people of Berlin had lost.
Berliners on both sides of the wall looked upon the rabbits fondly.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
Sadly, freedom of movement for the citizens of they city meant the end of such free range living for the rabbits of Berlin. When the Berlin Wall fell, the rabbits had to disperse to the gardens and green spaces of the city.
The former rabbit residents might be gone, but they certainly aren’t forgotten. The Kaninchenfeld is a touching tribute to the rabbits of Berlin.
Kaninchenfeld : Berlin Street Art by Karla Sachse
Kaninchenfeld- translates as rabbit field- brings a whole new meaning to the idea of street art. The rabbits are, literally, part of the street beneath your feet.
Berlin artist Karla Sachse created the artwork “Kaninchenfeld” in 1999 at the former inner-city border crossing Chausseestraße . Each one of the 120 brass and black rabbits with a special non slip design that meant they could be safely placed into the pavement.
Why You Need to Visit Soon
Unfortunately, just like their real life inspiration, the rabbits of Berlin are under threat. Building and construction work means many of the original rabbits have been lost. At last count, less than 80 of the original 120 remain.
There’s no preservation plans ( that I can find) for the rabbits and ongoing works mean more are likely to be lost. If you want to see the disappearing rabbits of Berlin for yourself, you’ll need to be quick!
I’d recommend visiting within the next 12-18 months if you want to see and photograph a meaningful number of the brass rabbits. And tell other travellers- much like the original rabbits of Berlin, if we can’t keep them let’s at least make sure they aren’t forgotten!
Kaninchenfeld- Why This is A Unique Berlin Experience
- Unlike museums and well known landmarks, the Kaninchenfeld installation is subtle and gently thought provoking. Walking the very streets that were once the point where East and West Berlin met, you have to focus on finding the rabbits.
- Every visitor has their own experience. You will find a different set of rabbits to the last person, and what you find may never be found by another traveller.
- Some of the rabbits of Berlin have been rescued from construction works and reinstalled, making this a changing Berlin street art experience!
- This Berlin street art experience packs a punch: art, history and the natural world all in one go!
How to Find the Kaninchenfeld
- To find the rabbits, head to Chausseestraße. Look for the ‘Total ‘ Garage as a starting point.
- The nearest U bahn is Schwartzkopfstrasse.
- Don’t forget to look on the road too, where the brass rabbits are slightly easier to spot being polished by the traffic.
- After viewing the rabbits, you can walk via Chausseestraße and Oranienburger Straße to Monbijoupark, a pretty green space with views to the River Spree. From here, it’s walking distance to many other things to do in Berlin including Museum Island and Hackeschen Markt.
Don’t wait, plan your next trip to Berlin soon and save this post so that you can include the Kaninchenfeld in your travel plans. Share this post, tell your friends and spread the word. The disappearing rabbits of Berlin won’t be there forever!
If you do go and see the rabbits of Kaninchenfeld, I’d love it of you’d comment or message me about how many are left and how it’s doing.
Looking for more Berlin travel inspiration? You might enjoy this post about an unusual Berlin park or this post for some things-to-do in Berlin inspiration.
Helen x
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