One of Europe’s great cities, Berlin was a divided city until the demolition of the Berlin Wall three decades ago. The reunification of Germany meant Berlin resumed as Germany’s capital in 1990. It had been the primary city in this part of Northern Europe since the 15th Century.
Museum Island Berlin is one of three UNESCO World Heritage sites in this city of culture, education and science, as well as politics. It has a number of important landmarks and Berlin travel offers visitors a wealth of experiences.
Brandenburg Gate
Frederick William II of Prussia ordered the building of this Gate in the 18th Century. It was outside the fortress walls of Berlin City at the time. Built on the site of a former gate, this iconic landmark is in the west of Berlin close to the Reichstag, Germany’s Parliament. It suffered some damage in the Second World War but one of the few things that East Berlin and West Berlin actioned jointly was its restoration. The Gate is within what was East Berlin.
Many Europeans regard it as a symbol of unity and peace within the Continent. The Brandenburg Gate crossing opened late in 1989 with Helmut Kohl, the West German Chancellor walking through to meet the East German Prime Minister, Hans Modrow. Berlin and Germany were reunited.
Reichstag
The home of governance, the Reichstag’s fire caused plenty of damage in 1933. The Nazis made the fire an excuse for the suspension of civil rights. At the end of World War II, it had no role although some restoration took place in the 1960s. When Germany reunified, priority was given to complete restoration with the result that it once again became Germany’s Parliament in 1999.
Berlin Philharmonie
Music lovers recognise the Berlin Philharmonic as one of the top handful of orchestras in the world. Its concert hall home is of modern design Bombing damaged much of Berlin during the War and that included its current home. Today’s building was built between 1960 and 1963. Subsequently, Philharmonie itself was damaged by fire in 2008 but only had to close briefly.
Konzerthaus
Berlin’s most famous concert hall is home to its equally famous orchestra. When the National Theatre burnt down in 1817, this hall replaced it. The damage caused by bombing during the War necessitated rebuilding. That started in 1977 with the opening concert held in 1984.
Fernsehturm
This television tower in what was originally EastBerlin was built originally as a symbol of communist power. It is still the tallest structure in Germany at just under 370 metres. Its main function is for radio and television. However, there is a viewing platform where visitors can get wonderful panoramas and take some Berlin photos. The viewing deck with a bar and revolving restaurant is at 203 metres.
Berlin Cathedral
This Protestant Cathedral in a mix of Baroque and Renaissance style dates back to the turn of the 19th Century. It is one of a number of wonderful buildings on Museum Island, itself a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There has been a religious building on this site since the middle of the 15th Century. The first one was Catholic before the times of Martin Luther and the reformists. It measures 114 metres by 74 metres.
New Church
Neue Kirche in Gendarmenmarkt has all the appearance of a cathedral but it has never had that status. Indeed, today it is a museum. Second World War bombing caused damage but there was a commitment to restore it. That happened in 1988.
Its original congregation was Calvinist but in 1708, it served both Calvinists and Luitherans. It changed much over the years including the addition of a tower and a number of statues.
Oberbaum Bridge
This landmark in Berlin now links two boroughs that were originally divided by the Berlin Wall. The lower level is road while the upper level is rail. The original bridge here was wooden, a drawbridge as a means of access to the City. That was in the 1730s and it was not until a century and a half later that serious modifications took place.
Even then, as Berlin became busier, it was inadequate and further work resulted two decades later. For a time, it was the border between East and West but once reunification came about, the Bridge has been upgraded again.
Night centre
Berlin at night is a lively city. There is a wide choice of bars and restaurants while nightclubs like Berghain Berlin have a great reputation. The Club scene in Berlin is special, and a little different. Locals variously describe it as progressive, underground and even avant-garde.
Tram Transport
Trams are a very important way to navigate the City during your Berlin visit. There are 22 different lines with around 800 stops so the network is very comprehensive. Plan your city itinerary and decide the Berlin images you want to capture. If you are keen on art there is more than just galleries to visit. Berlin street art tours are a great way to see the best of local graffiti artists. However, if you want to travel to the most important districts where you will find it, take the tram.
Conclusion
Berlin is the largest city by population within the European Union. While the EU’s institutions are elsewhere, Berlin holds a prominent role in the EU because of the strength of the German economy. Its history is rich in conflict as well as culture. If you decide to visit Berlin, and you should, your album of Berlin pictures is certain to impress family and friends when you return home.
Berlin is a weekend venue but it deserves more. Somewhere like Museum Island alone could occupy you for a day. Berlin’s nightlife could mean that you don’t want an early morning start the next day either. Visit, and think about trying to fit in a few days in Germany’s Capital.