Things to do in Berlin

It was in the 18th century when the Brandenburg Gate was built and is still considered one of the most famous landmarks of the city. Back in the days of the Cold War, it was built near the border of the two halves of the city. In 1989, the wall fell, and the Brandenburg Gate became a symbol of the unification of East and West Germany. The gate was commissioned by Emperor William II and it was 28 meters tall and 65.5 meters wide. The construction of the wall started back in1778 and ended in 1791, and was decorated according to Greek mythology, which took additional four years. The gate had five passages out of which two were used by the common people, one by the aristocracy, and two by the royals. The gate was heavily damaged during World War II, but it was reconstructed from 1956 till 1958. In the year 1961, the Brandenburg Gate was closed just a day after the construction of the Berlin Wall. When the wall fell, people rejoiced near the gate, and it was reopened in December 1989. Don't forget to visit this historic landmark when in Berlin.

The Reichstag is one of Germany’s most important historic landmarks, and is situated near the Brandenburg Gate. Back in 1871, there was a need of a parliamentary building, and in order to select a design for it, a competition was held. There were around 183 submissions out of which Paul Wallot’s design won. The architect created a building that was 97 meters wide and 137 meters long. The design consisted of an iron dome which looked very impressive. The construction work continued from 1884 till 1894.The building was used by the parliament, and is said to have played an important role in Hitler’s rise to power. The Reichstag suffered great damage from a fire that broke out in 1933. It was not repaired, and was further damaged during the World War II. After the division of Berlin, the building ended up in the West part, and its dome was removed. The reconstruction of the damaged parts took place from 1958 till 1972. Every year, the place receives several hundred visitors who explore the building and get a glimpse of Berlin’s history.

Berlin is a city with a past full of wars and political turmoil. The city has seen everything from World War II to the holocaust and from Hitler’s rise of power to the division of the city into two. The city recovered fast, and today receives thousands of tourists every year who are eager to learn about the city’s troubling past or are simply there to be bedazzled by the architecture and German culture. If you plan on visiting Berlin, then you must visit the Topography of terror, which is a museum that is located in the former SS headquarters, an area known for torturing and corruption. The museum presents accurate accounts of the Holocaust, construction of the Berlin Wall, and the Nazi regime. Visiting the museum is like walking through history because this is the very place where the Nazi officers worked more than 70 years ago. The site also includes the remains of the Berlin Wall and the place also has another exhibition that focuses on Berlin’s role in the "Third Reich". Other than this, there are several lectures, exhibits and educational programs that are extremely interesting for tourists who love history.

The Holocaust Memorial or “The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe” is a huge memorial of 19,000 square-meters to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. This memorial was inaugurated on May 10, 2005, and was opened to the public on the 12th of May 2005. On the eastern edge of the Holocaust Memorial, you will find the Place of Information which is an 800 square meters space where tourists can get information about the victims and locations. This Place is divided in four rooms: The Room of Dimensions, the Room of Families, the Room of Names and the Room of Sites. Each contains information, photographs, farewell letters, and many more interesting and valuable documents. Your trip to Berlin is never complete without a visit to the famous Holocaust Memorial.

The Fernsehturm Berlin (or the Berlin TV tower, as it is commonly known) is the tallest structure in Germany. It was made in 1969 and has sort of become a symbol for the new and modern Germany. The best part of the tower isn’t the tower itself, but the view it provides you. Getting to the tower is very easy, because you will be able to see the tower from many parts of Berlin. Most movies that have scenes shot in Berlin often show this tower to denote Berlin, much in the same way as the Eiffel Tower is shown to denote Paris. The view from the Fernsehturm is amazing. You can literally see the whole city around you, since there is nothing to obstruct the view. The platform made for visitors, which is the most common tourist spot, is more than 600 feet high. Berlin is also a very clean city with minimal pollution, what this means is that on a clear day you can view as far as 40 kilometers. There is also a rotating restaurant above the platform. If you take a tour of the city, this tower will probably be already on the itinerary. If it isn’t, don’t miss it.

The fall of the Berlin Wall, a famous quote we’ve all heard. The Berlin Wall memorial is a fantastic monument to visit, if you are interested in history. It is rare to have sites as historic yet so new. It can be a very emotional experience as well, since the names of the people who died while trying to cross the wall are preserved here. Knowing that people suffered and died trying to get a better life is heartbreakingly relatable. The visitor’s center is great for tourists. There is a small museum there which gives you the true history of the place. You get a real feel for how the people lived at the time, and the effects of the wall. The economic differences between East and West German were huge, and it was all separated by this wall. You also get a great idea of the political climate of those days, and why the Berlin wall was constructed in the first place. You also hear personal stories of people who crossed the wall, and it is an illuminating and very personal experience.

If there is one symbol that reminds Berliners about the Cold War, it is Checkpoint Charlie, as it separated East and West Berlin. The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 and stopped people from the East side to travel to the West side. The wall had three check posts, out of which Checkpoint Charlie became extremely famous. It was the only place via which foreigners could cross from East to West. The checkpoint was removed almost thirty years later, during the time the reunification, but the place still holds historical importance and is considered an important landmark when it comes to Berlin’s history. Currently, visitors can go to the area and they will find some bricks that lie on the path where the Berlin Wall once stood. Other than this, there is a sign that points towards the original site, and replica of the original check post. Visitors can pay a visit to the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie and learn more about the city’s history, the Berlin Wall, and World War II.

The Trabi Museum is the place where you can know every single detail about the Trabant which is a car that was produced from 1957 till 1990. This car was called “a spark plug with a roof”. The Trabi Museum will take you back in time and there you will find many models of the Trabant such as the famous 601, jeeps, police cars and race cars. If you are a car enthusiast and you are planning to visit Berlin, Trabi Museum is a must visit place for you.

In 1701, the construction of the French Cathedral - Französischer Dom started by Louis Cayart and Abraham Quesney. The construction was completed in 1705 but during World War ll the building was destroyed and remained ruins before its final reconstruction in 1981. The French Cathedral - Französischer Dom has a viewing balustrade that shows you the glorious view of Gendarmenmarkt and its surroundings. The French Cathedral - Französischer Dom is a really nice place to visit and has become one of the most interesting touristic attractions in Berlin.

In the Center of Berlin, on the Gendarmenmarkt is where the Konzerthaus located. This amazing concert hall was built as a theatre in 1818 under the name of Schauspielhaus Berlin before its usage change to a concert hall in 1994 and that’s when it has become the Konzerthaus. The architecture of the building was created by Karl Friedrich Schinkel who gave the Konzerthaus a neo-classical design. The Konzerthaus is home to a music club, the Werner-Otto Hall and the Appolo Hall. Do not miss the chance to enjoy an amazing and unforgettable classical concert experience right there in the Konzerthaus.