Berlin
Concrete creations in a stonemason's yard
Tucked away in an ordinary Pankow neighbourhood there's a far from ordinary street.
Lehderstraße is lined with historic industrial workshops, the long rows of red-brick buildings unexpectedly resembling quaint terraced cottages.
And it's here that you'll find the Steinmetzhof (Stonemason's yard), a leafy, cobbled courtyard filled with sculptures and carvings; except that these days, the works on show are made of concrete rather than stone.
They're produced by the rather wonderful company betonfreunde, expert creators of arty cement objects, and although the workshops themselves aren't open to casual visitors, you'll find plenty of examples of their craftsmanship on display.
Image credits: betonfreunde.de
The pretty courtyard also houses several other surprises, including the original 1904 stone-cutting sheds complete with vintage machinery.
Now used as an atmospheric events venue, you might get a glimpse of it during one of the Steinmetzhof's regular jazz evenings, held in yet another of the historic workshops.
Image credits: steinmetzhof.de
And if you simply happen to be in the area - perhaps visiting the magical Delphi cinema just around the corner - it's worth popping by to gaze at this flower and statue-filled oasis; a hidden relic of Berlin's industrial past that's still producing great things.
See also:
A secret 1920s cinema
A time capsule Pankow apartment
A stunning hidden courtyard
Steinmetzhof: Lehderstraße
74-79, 13086 Berlin
Betonfreunde (friends of concrete):
Lehderstraße
74, 13086 Berlin
