In 1871, the pharmacist family Schwartz proudly moves into their apartment in the bel étage of their new house – a house that will become the setting for German history and everyday stories of Berlin. We accompany the family over five generations and experience alongside them the Imperial era, world wars, the construction and fall of the Berlin Wall. At the heart of this vibrant narrative are the children of the family. Through the perspectives of Karl and Martha, Ursula and Peter, or Laura and Ben, we see what moves their larger world and, consequently, their smaller one. Full-page image tableaux immerse us in the kitchen and cellar, attic and children's room, showing how not only the residents but also the interior of the house changes over the decades – right down to the children's toys. Complementary detailed illustrations and informative explanatory texts make the past tangible – and bring Berlin to life!.