An Introduction To All Berlin Has To Offer
One of the most known monuments from Berlin is the Brandenburg Gate. This monument is situated within a few meters from the now torn down Wall of Berlin. This famous Wall was a construction that not only divided the city of Berlin but it also generally divided the world into opposing ideologies. There is still bits and pieces of the Wall that have survived throughout the years but now this famous Wall functions as the symbol of a reunified Germany.
From the Brandenburg Gate, one can enter the Unter den Linden lane and in this way approach and have access to the main boulevard from the city. This begins from the French square of Paris and on the east side of the Brandenburg Gate, one can find the Arts Academy, the world famous Adlon Hotel and the French Embassy. From this square, one can walk approximately 1,5 km to reach the renowned Scholossbrüke (bridge) that connects Museum Island with central-East Berlin where Alexanderplatz can be found.
Alexanderplatz is situated in the old centre of East Berlin where the stamp of the communist DDR-party can be clearly seen. The television tower of Fernsehturm is situated nearby this square. The Fernsehturm tower has a height of 368m that can be seen and admired from every standpoint and location from the city. The tower was built in 1960 and includes a restaurant constructed in the form and shape of a circle. From this restaurant, one can enjoy a clear and panoramic overview from the entire city of Berlin.
The surrounding environment of Alexanderplatz is filled with monuments, large old buildings, squares and all kinds of shops. Some of these monuments include the protestant Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom), and the Rotes Rathaus (City Hall). The most extraordinary aspects of these buildings are their wonderful and bizarre architecture. The Catholic Cathedral of Berlin which is dedicated to the holy Hedwig, lies a bit further on beneath the Unter den Lindenlaan and is situated exactly between an Opera House (one of three situated within the city) and the famous building most commonly known as the Commode.
On the other side of the city within the heart of West Berlin lies the Potsdammer Platz, which was one of the most known, famous and popular locations in the whole of Europe back in the 1920´s. Since the fall of the Wall of Berlin, there has been tremendous construction projects that have taken place and today there’s a magnitude of modern shops present which are leading Berlin into a new era.
One of the most interesting and fascinating locations of Berlin is the Reichstag. Since 1999, The Reichstag is the new division of the federations parliament which is presently known as, Bundestag. Only the outer walls were left intact during the building’s reconstruction as the insides of the building are completely new. It’s an impressive building both from the inside and outside. The crystal dome found within the building is publicly accessible and is an amazing sight, especially at night.
Equally impressive is the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche (church). This church is situated in the city centre of East-Berlin and has endured lots of damage due to Allied bombardments during World War II. Only one tower remained unscathed and acts as a reminder of the incidences that took place during the war. For this reason it hasn’t been reconstructed. In front of the church lies a modern building that has been constructed and attached to the tower. The freedom clock of Freiheitsglocke hangs from its highest point. There is no entrance fee and the church is open and accessible to the public everyday from 9 in the morning until 7 at night.
Let’s not forget that in order to enjoy these sights and make the most out of your trip, it is important to plan in advance. This is recommended in order to reduce unexpected inconveniences that may arise. One of the best ways to integrate oneself in a foreign city is to adjust and try to live just as the inhabitants do. In this way you will get to learn the most and experience Berlin as the locals do!