Self-organized museum in Kreuzberg that explains capitalism through interactive stations, special exhibitions, and workshops – free admission.
July 2, 2026 – November 7, 2026
In nine stations, the show traces Berlin's conflicts over affordable housing – from the tenants' movement of the 19th century and squatting in East and West to the current debate on socialization.
The Museum des Kapitalismus (Museum of Capitalism) sees itself as a self-organized museum "from below": it aims to fill a gap in the museum landscape by making the economic system that shapes work, wages, housing, and global dependencies the subject of an exhibition. The first exhibition, initially temporary, opened in June 2014 in Berlin-Kreuzberg; a second show followed in 2015, and in 2017 the project spent a week as a guest in Hamburg's St. Pauli district.
The museum now has a permanent home at Köpenicker Straße 172 – since February 2018, according to a Berlin city portal. It is run by the Verein für Bildung und Partizipation e. V. (association for education and participation); its work is funded through grants, such as from the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district for the current special exhibition, and through donations.
Instead of displaying objects in glass cases, the museum relies on hands-on exhibits that invite visitors to try things out and discuss them: topics include needs and exclusion, crises, colonialism, and possible alternatives. A revised permanent exhibition opened in March 2026. It is complemented by special exhibitions – in 2026, for example, on the history of Berlin tenants' struggles – as well as workshops for school classes and groups, reading circles, and book presentations. The Hans-Georg-Backhaus-Bibliothek, the private library of the Marx scholar comprising some 4,000 volumes, is also set to become a public study library.
Admission is free.
The official website lists no admission prices and asks for donations; according to Berlin city portals, admission is free. Workshop prices are not stated.
According to the museum, the space has low-barrier access; there is no wheelchair-accessible restroom.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
U1 and U3 subway to Schlesisches Tor; bus 165 and 265 to Eisenbahnstraße.
Small bar with cold and hot drinks, mainly during events.
Up to 70 guests.
Room of about 148 m² (around 120 m² usable) for artistic, political, and academic events such as seminars, readings, film screenings, or theater, by the hour or by the day. Equipped with a projector, sound system, around 40 chairs, a bar, and a kitchenette. Three-tier pricing: free for non-commercial political projects, plus a standard and a solidarity rate; inquiries via form.
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | no |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Workshops (about 1.5 to 5 hours) for school classes from grade 7 or 9 and groups on request, including "Kapitalismus für Anfänger*innen" (Capitalism for Beginners), "Kapitalismus & Klima" (Capitalism & Climate), "Klassismus everywhere", and "Climate Justice!"; plus changing public workshop series. The exhibition is multilingual. |
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