Sightseeing in Berlin
For an entirely unique cultural experience, a trip to Berlin is jam packed with fun and excitement and sites you’ll never see anywhere else in the world. There is so much to see and do there is no way to experience it all in just one visit, but by selecting the few sites that appeal to you the most you’ll get the most out of your trip to Berlin. The following sites are ones that simply shouldn’t be missed, and they will be easy on your wallet.
One stop that every sightseer must take in when traveling to Berlin is the Berlin Wall, or what remains of it. After World War II Germany was divided into four parts, each part was occupied by a different country, America, Great Britain, France, and the former Soviet Union. The city of Berlin was also divided into four sections. Further disagreements on occupation ensued and eventually the Soviet portion became known as the German Democratic Republic which was known as East Germany and East Berlin became the capital. The other zones were known as the Federal Republic of Germany or West Germany with the capital being Bonn. Until 1961 East Germans could move between the two portions of the country but eventually it became clear that the West side was more popular as almost 20,000 East Germans were moving to West Berlin a month. On August 13th 1961 the city of West Berlin was surrounded by barbed wire, which eventually was replaced by an actual wall, and traffic back and forth was largely prohibited. In 1989 amid revolts and street protests, in a very dramatic move, the wall came crumbling down and the people trapped within were once again free to move about freely. Parts of the wall still remain and draw tourists and visitors every year.
Not Germany’s proudest moment, the Holocaust is recognized on a worldwide basis. This horrifying event should remain in everyone’s conscious as a warning against the letting one individual grow too strong and blindly following the doctrine of a select group. It should also be a reminder of the value of all human life and that each individual life has significance. The idea for the Holocaust Memorial was proposed in 1988 but the design itself was not approved until 1999. In the end, the U.S. architect Peter Eisenman’s controversial design was selected. Covering about 205,000 square feet, the Holocaust Memorial is comprised of 2,711 gray stone slabs with no identifying marks. The stones are each uniquely shaped and create a wave pattern across the ground. Eisenman wanted to give visitors a sense of instability and disorientation. The Holocaust Memorial is officially named the Monument to the Murdered Jews in Europe, but most people recognize it as the Holocaust Memorial. An information center is located at the base of the memorial and there you’ll find information about what occurred during World War II and hear personal stories from families and individuals who survived this tragic period.
Nikolaiviertel or St. Nicholas Quarter is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. St. Nicholas Quarter is one of the oldest and most historic districts, but don’t be fooled as even this region along the Spree River contained some of the oldest buildings in Berlin, most of them were destroyed by the second world war. In 1979, in celebration of the 750th anniversary of Nikolaiviertel, the city began an extensive reconstruction which lasted eight years. Replicas of historic buildings were constructed, making it seem as if the past had been reborn. In the heart of Nikolaiviertel is Nilolaikirche http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolaikirche, the oldest church in Berlin. This 13th century church has been rebuilt as well and now houses a museum which explains must of the city’s history.
Charlottenburg Palace is the largest palace in Berlin, built in several stages the original stage began in 1695 and 1699 and was meant to serve as the summer home for Sophie Charlotte. Once Sophie’s husband was named the first Prussian King, Friedrich I, the palace began its massive expansion. Inside this wonderful historic architectural masterpiece are beautiful interiors emphasized with art pieces collected throughout the years. The Eichengallerie, or art gallery is an excellent example with oil paintings and a Porzellan-kabinett with restored Chinese and Japanese porcelain. If you prefer the art of the German romantics, the Galerie der Romantik deserves a good look. Behind Schloss Charlottenburg, or the Charlottenburg Palace, is a park that was originally laid out in French Baroque style. It had been converted into a landscape garden but after the restoration part of it resumed its French influence. Not just a park, explore the area and find the mausoleum and the porcelain museum and many other highlights.
Reichstag is the seat of German Parliament and one of Berlin’s most historical and noted landmarks. The Reichstag great out of the establishment of the German Empire in 1872, as a large parliamentary building was necessary for governmental proceedings. In 1933 a fire broke out and most of the original building was destroyed. No one knows who started the fire, but suspicions were that the Communists were involved, which gave Hitler’s Party more credibility and may have helped him come to power. One of the best known photographic images is a Red Army Soldier raising the Soviet flat on Reichstag after Germany’s defeat in World War II. Make sure to take note of the central dome. Originally the ornamentation and glamour of the central dome were removed during reconstruction and once the unification occurred it was decided to move it back. This construction project began in 1995 and lasted about four years, the glass dome at the top has become a famous landmark and tourists are able to walk all the way to the top of the dome.
In addition to these few sightseeing highlights there is just so much else to see and do when visiting Berlin. Immerse yourself in as much traditional German culture as you can to get a feel for this great historic city. But take a little time to explore the area around Berlin and see the beautiful surrounding countryside. Germany has a very storied history, not all of it good, but all of it incredibly fascinating, leading to a very interesting city, populated by very unique citizens.
If you’re looking for more “easy on your wallet”, be sure to click here to find the best rates and availability on hotels in Berlin, or anywhere.
(cc: photo credit: aprilwitch)
Categories: Sightseeing
