Kunsthaus Tacheles (Art House Tacheles), Berlin

The Kunsthaus Thacheles is a large graffiti covered warehouse in the former Jewish quarter of Berlin. It houses a group of artists who are being threatened with eviction.

The Kunsthaus Thacheles was once a supermarket near the Synagogue that served the Jewish residents of the location. It was a Nazi jail before the Second World War where prisoners from France were imprisoned. It later served as offices of unions during the communist era. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, a group of young artists moved into the building and called it the Thacheles which means Straight Talking in Yiddish.

Kunsthaus Thacheles has five floors and once had a large ribbed dome. Although the building suffered damage during the Battle of Berlin and neglect during the communist era it is still considered structurally sound. The artists have covered the facade with brightly colored contemporary artwork with different themes and reflecting many thoughts and feelings. The courtyard has sculpture made from debris and other objects from scrap yards. It attracts visitors as an unofficial exhibition of modern art and has many art workshops, a cafe and space for performances and art displays. Despite being a popular tourist attraction in Berlin, the future of the Kunsthaus Thaceles remains threatened.