For
much of its history, Berlin
has been addicted to change. Even before its roller-coaster
ride through the 20th century, a 19th-century observer remarked
that the city was constantly on the verge of becoming, never
in a state of being. Since the fall of the Wall and the reunification
of the city, Berlin has restlessly reinvented itself as a
political, business and entertainment center.
Its latest transformation has yielded some impressive attractions.
The Reichstag's glass dome crowns the new government quarter,
with its straight band of office buildings and the sleek,
curving glass hall of its main train station. South of the
Brandenburg Gate, a cluster of skyscrapers and an eye-catching
tentlike structure define Potsdamer Platz, a bustling development
built next to the formerly divided city's no-man's land. As
of late, a rediscovery of the waterfront area seems to be
in progress, as new restaurants, nightclubs and cafes position
themselves along the Spree River and the city's many canals.
Architecture, much of it in glass and steel, is definitely
the calling card of the "New Berlin," but the city's
many parks, canals and forest-rimmed lakes are still its loveliest
real estate.
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Reichstag
"The imposing Reichstag reflects Germany's past, present
and future like no other building. It was constructed in
1884-94 as the parliament for Bismarck's German Empire and
has seen decades of German history. After the fall of the
Berlin Wall in 1989 work began to return the building to
its original purpose with a glass dome added by British
architect Sir Norman Foster. Visitors can now climb up to
the dome and there is a panorama terrace, a photographic
exhibition recounting the Reichstag's turbulent history
and a rooftop restaurant."
Schloss Charlottenburg
This beautiful baroque palace was built in 1695 by King
Friedrich Wilhelm I as a summer residence for his beloved
wife, Queen Sophie Charlotte. Hidden away in the lush Royal
Gardens are several smaller buildings: the ornate rococo
Belvedere, containing an impressive collection of porcelain;
the Schinkel Pavilion which houses drawings, paintings,
sculptures, furniture and porcelain by Karl Friedrich Schinkel;
and the neoclassical Mausoleum containing the tombs of Queen
Louise, King Friedrich Wilhelm III, Emperor Wilhelm I and
Empress Augusta.
Checkpoint Charlie
The ultimate symbol of the Cold War which divided Europe
and the world for four decades, the Berlin Wall is still
the main tourist attraction in the German capital. And Checkpoint
Charlie, the former border crossing, is the place many tourists
head for first. Yet this world-famous monument is slightly
disappointing on first sight. The original border post was
demolished and all that remains nowadays is a signpost bearing
the words, 'You are now leaving the American sector' and
a replica of a watchtower from 1961. The only thing really
worth seeing is the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie museum.
Unter den Linden
Berlin's grandest boulevard stretches east-west for just
over a mile between Schlossplatz and the Brandenburg Gate.
Originally conceived as a simple riding path between Berliner
Schloss palace and the royal hunting ground in Tiergarten,
Unter den Linden was transformed into a splendid regal boulevard
by the 18th century Prussian kings. Named after the lime
trees which line its central aisle, the road contains many
of Berlin's landmark buildings like the Brandenburg Gate,
Zeughaus, Kronprinzenpalast, State Opera House and Humboldt
University.
Tiergarten
Stretching from the Brandenburg Gate in the east to Zoo
Station in the west, Tiergarten park is one of Europe's
largest and most beautiful inner-city parks. Originally
conceived as a hunting ground for Prussian kings, the Tiergarten
was transformed into an romantic landscape garden in the
early 18th century by Peter Joseph Lenne, who designed a
series of winding paths, lakes, bridges, sculptures and
flower beds. The park was devastated in the Second World
War and during subsequent winters. Replanted in the fifties,
the Tiergarten is now as beautiful as it ever was and very
popular with locals and visitors alike.
Pergamon-Museum
This museum houses a vast collection of artefacts from the
ancient world, the crowning glory being the altar from the
Zeus Tempel in Pergamon (180-160 BC), one of the world's
most significant archaeological finds. The museum is also
home to parts of the magnificent Antique Collection, the
East Asian Collection, the Near Eastern Museum and the Islamic
Museum. The electronic guides for visitors are very informative
and are available in several languages for a small fee.
Weihnachtsmärkte (Berlin Christmas Markets)
German Christmas markets are famous throughout the world.
Every Advent, numerous pedestrian streets and squares throughout
the city are transformed into a festive feast of activity.
Visitors can browse the stalls in search of presents and
enjoy a warm cup of glühwein before heading home. The
larger markets (e.g. Schlossplatz in Mitte or Breitscheidplatz
in Charlottenburg) have fairground rides and a whole host
of activities for the little ones.
Potsdamer Platz
After the fall of the Wall in 1989, Potsdamer Platz turned
from a deserted wasteland into Europe's biggest building
site as urban planners worked to create an ultra-modern
city centre in the middle of a reunited Berlin. The only
remnants of old Potsdamer Platz are the historic Haus Huth
and the majestic Hotel Esplanade ballroom, which has been
cleverly incorporated into the Sony Center. Approximately
half of the area contains offices; the rest is divided between
entertainment complexes like the Imax and a fantastic shopping
mall.
Gendarmenmarkt
Gendarmenmarkt is considered by many to be Berlin's prettiest
square. Flanked by the twin churches Deutscher Dom and Französischer
Dom, the square is crowned by Schinkel's neoclassical masterpiece,
the Konzerthaus. The name of the square comes from the 'Soldier
King' Frederick William I, who housed his cavalry (gens
d'arms) here in the early 18th century. The Französischer
Dom (French cathedral) offered refuge to the French Huguenot
community who fled to Prussia to escape persecution in 18th
century France. The ground floor now houses a museum, while
the dome offers fantastic panoramic views over the city.
Berliner Festwochen
During the Nazi era, German culture was abused, misinterpreted
and stripped of many of its non-Aryan elements. This meant
that when the Second World War ended, Berlin was a city
lacking a dynamic and multifaceted cultural life. The Berliner
Festwochen, founded in 1951, was an answer to this. Every
autumn, world-class orchestras, musicians, artists and actors
are invited to Berlin to exhibit their talents. The event
lasts several weeks and features a series of free concerts
(mostly but not exclusively classical), theatrical performances
and exhibitions at different locations throughout the city.
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