Kotti

Kotti is the informal name for the area around the Kottbusser Tor, a major crossroads and U-Bahn station in central Berlin. Located in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg borough, the district features dense urban blocks and a long tradition of cultural diversity. The Kottbusser Tor station serves the U1 and U3 lines and acts as a local transport hub.

The name derives from the historic gate in Berlin’s old city defenses, known as Kottbusser Tor. The nearby road network, including Kottbusser Damm, led toward the town of Cottbus in Brandenburg, and the gate became a landmark that shaped the neighborhood’s identity.

The area has long been home to a diverse population, with substantial Turkish and other immigrant communities contributing to a lively street life. Along Oranienstraße and Skalitzer Straße, small businesses, markets, and eateries reflect the area’s multicultural character, while the neighborhood remains known for its nightlife and cultural venues.

Since the late 20th century, Kotti has faced social and economic challenges associated with high-density housing. In the 2000s and 2010s, redevelopment and gentrification pressures brought new residents and renovations, though rents remain comparatively affordable for central Berlin and the area continues to attract students, artists, and families.

Today, Kotti is a dynamic, debated space in Berlin’s urban landscape, valued for its diversity and accessibility yet also subject to tensions around housing and transformation. The nickname Kotti is widely recognized by locals and visitors as shorthand for the area around the tor.