Lichtspiel is a film library located in a former knitwear factory dating from the 1890s. The building is impressive itself, boasting industrial romanticism, such as the leafy details on the handrail or the round brick façade. But it is the inside that lets every cineaste’s heart beat faster. Countless restored cameras, projectors, movies and other cinematographic material are on display.

Usually, there is a movie from a film cycle on Wednesday and a surprise potpourri of short films on Sunday on the agenda. For me, the short films are the ultimate way to let the weekend come to a restful but entertaining close — it never fails to amaze me.

As you’ve understood already, Lichtpiel is much more than a cinema or a museum. It is also living history, a repair shop, a digitizing bureau, a course and event venue for cinema aficionados etc. If you have a film wish, you can even ask the Lichtspiel team to hunt a movie down for you and they’ll display it for you (for the rental price only!) and a small audience. Pretty cool, if you ask me!

Pssst: They also sell vouchers if you need a gift for your cinephile friend, partner or parent :-).