What to See in Berlin

Berlin Wall - image via Wikipedia

Germany’s capital is one city that has seen its share of turmoil. After being established as the center of government, Berlin saw the rise and fall of the Kingdom of Prussia (1701-1918), the Weimar Republic (1919-1933), and, most infamously, the Third Reich (1933-1945). As Hitler’s armies fell and he rapidly lost power, Germany became a country divided. The city of Berlin was isolated and further divided by fourths, with each world power—England, France, Russia, and the United States—controlling a portion of the city. During the Cold War in the early 1960′s, Berlin was  again split apart. East Berlin became the capital of East Germany, divided from the other half of the city by the Berlin Wall. The Wall was torn down in 1989, and the period  of Germany’s reunification officially began.

There are many landmarks in the city that tell the story of Berlin, and also the larger story of how Germany became the country it is today. If planning a trip to the city, make sure your itinerary includes:

Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral):

“Berlin Cathedral” is the local name for this magnificent building, properly named the Supreme Parish and Collegiate Church. This religious sect has a long history in Germany; the current church was built in 1750. A number of glass panes were blown out during the Allied bombings in 1940. In 1944, a bomb of combustible liquid was dropped through the church’s ceiling.

Berlin Wall:

Built in 1961, the Berlin Wall literally appeared overnight. It was built by the
former Communist government of East Germany as a way to keep East Germans from fleeing to the democratic West. City residents were taken completely by surprise—so much so that if a man lived in West Germany but had the misfortune to work the night shift on the East side of the wall the night it was built, he was basically forbidden to cross over the wall to go home to his family.
The Wall was destroyed in 1989, and the Communist government dissolved. Today only a few pieces of the structure remain to serve as a reminder of the city’s decades-long division.

Brandenburg Gate - image via Wikipedia

Brandenburg Gate:

Likely one of the most well-known sites in all of Germany, the Brandenburg Gate was one of a series of entrances into the city of Berlin, and the last one still standing. This landmark was severely damaged during World War II. In 2000, the Berlin Monument Conservation Foundation began a massive 2-year restoration project on this majestic stone structure.

Potsdamer Platz:

Berlin’s answer to New York’s Times Square, Potsdamer Platz is the bustling center of downtown Berlin. Heavily damaged during World War II and virtually abandoned during the Cold War and Germany’s division, it is now enjoying a revival and has become a major draw for real estate developers, business owners, retail stores, and restaurants.

Reichstag:

This imposing structure is the home of the German parliament and one of the city’s most important buildings. It was damaged in a fire in 1933 and fell into a serious state of neglect after World War II, when the East and West German governments met in their respective sides of the country. After Germany’s reunification, a massive restoration project took place on the Reichstag in 1990.

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