Alcatraz

WHERE: Berlin

COUNTRY: Germany

WHEN: November, 2014

Came across this entrance way in Berlin. It is the entrance of a backpackers hostel accommodation named… yes you guessed it. Alcatraz. The humour is appreciated.

The original Alcatraz Island is located in the San Francisco Bay in California, United States. Often referred to as “The Rock“, it has a lighthouse, a military fortification, was a military prison, and later served as a federal prison from 1933 until 1963.  In 1972, Alcatraz became a national recreation area and is now a popluar tourist destination.

Amongst its infamous ‘inhabitants’ were the notorious gangster Al “Scarface” Capone (1899-1947) and murderer Robert “Birdman of Alcatraz” Stroud (1890-1963). Though many attempts were made, it is said that no prisoner ever escaped the island.

Despite the name, the Alcatraz hostel actually looks like a pretty cool and friendly place judging from their website, their Google+ page and reviews from customers. So if you are looking for cheap accommodation in the centre of Berlin (Prenzlauer Berg) check out the Alcatraz Backpacker Hostel Berlin. It is close to the popular “Mauerpark” with its great flea-market on Sundays.