Two Private Art Collections to Discover in Berlin
The Boros Collection and the Feuerle Collection embody the essence of Berlin’s art scene and its layered history
For art lovers, Berlin is always the right destination. Many young artists choose it as their home, and the galleries are known for showcasing timely themes and contemporary names—not to mention the museums, where you can see both historical and emerging artists in person. What many don’t know is that the city is also home to stunning independent private collections, less well known, perhaps, but open to visitors.
On the occasion of the latest Berlin Gallery Weekend, we had the chance to discover two of them, both featured in The BMW Art Guide by Independent Collectors—a pocket-sized, extremely valuable volume that allows us to explore similar places all around the world (and which we’ve previously written about).
The Boros Collection is housed in a building that couldn’t be more quintessentially Berlin—a massive bunker originally built to shelter the city’s population during World War II. Over the years, it was transformed into a prison by the Red Army, a textile warehouse, later a storage space for exotic fruit and finally, in 1992, one of Berlin’s most important techno clubs.
In 2003, Karen and Christian Boros purchased the building and built their penthouse on the roof—so striking and unique that it was featured in Tár, the acclaimed movie starring Cate Blanchett. Today, the massive multi-story structure houses their unique contemporary art collection, spread across 3,000 square meters. Visits are exclusively conducted by expert guides, who not only share the history of the space and the artworks, but also ensure no one gets lost in the maze of reinforced concrete.
The collection features powerful, thought-provoking works that might leave some visitors unsettled—and exhilarated. From the sculptures of Anna Uddenberg to the photographs of Bunny Rogers, from Anne Imhof’s installations to Klára Hosnedlová‘s textured surfaces, the overall sensation is one of near-claustrophobia. This is partly due to the absence of windows and the bunker’s two-meter-thick walls, but also to the nature of the artworks themselves—never obvious, always challenging.
At The Feuerle Collection, the atmosphere is entirely different. Also located in a former World War II bunker (this time underground), originally built to conceal telecommunications equipment. The space was renovated and transformed into a private museum by British architect John Pawson and opened to the public in 2016.
The spaces are enveloped in darkness and silence, and a sense of peace and tranquility permeates every moment of the visit. The collection of Far Eastern antiquities assembled over the years by Désiré Feuerle is the undisputed centerpiece. Statues and historical furnishings are thoughtfully juxtaposed with contemporary works, including photographs by Nobuyoshi Araki and paintings by Alexander Graf von Schlieffen.
Here, it’s not just about admiring the beauty of the artworks. Experiences are one of the most engaging ways to connect with the collection, which hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, artist talks, yoga masterclasses, astrological lectures, and sophisticated incense ceremonies.
Both collections accommodate a limited number of visitors. We recommend purchasing tickets in advance at the Boros Collection and Feuerle Collection websites.
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