Berlin in general adds to our discussion on Market Cities - places with strong networks for the distribution of healthy, locally-produced food and other goods produced in local and territorial regions near cities - but Turkenmarkt is particularly special. In addition to perhaps being the best place for fresh fruit and vegetables in Berlin, you can also find olives, herbs and spices, clothing, Turkish pizzas, unbeatable kebaps, and other delicacies. Often people settle along the river to sit and some of their purchased goods and relax, or simply wander up and down the market browsing all of the products on offer. Turkenmarkt epitomizes the cultural mix of Berlin, and the setting of this market, as well as the delicacies on offer, cannot be beat. We feel it is an excellent example of a public space – in fact, an LQC type example that shows public spaces do not have to be large, or permanent, to have a positive impact on the local community.

Neukolln’s Turkenmarkt, a streetmarket in Berlin, will make you believe you’ve been transported to Istanbul. Berlin has the third largest Turkish population of any city in the world, so it is no wonder that the Turkish Market is one of the city’s liveliest and exciting marketplaces. This is the largest Turkish market in the city and is easily accessible, spanning along the river Landwehrkanal half a mile from Neukolln to Kreuzberg. These neighborhoods remain the center of Turkish immigrant life in Berlin, and are becoming increasingly popular due their cultural appeal. Though the market caters more to a Turkish immigrant population, it is common now to see a diverse mix of people, from Turkish women in headscarves, to young artists and musicians, and even a few tourists, all using the market as a local food source.

Photo credit from top left: Lis Ferla, Cristina Bejarano, Kurt Wheeler,Rae Allen, Steve Huang, Scott Robbin

Website: Tuerkenmarkt.de