Berlin is the capital of Germany and had a total population of 4.5 million people. The city has a rich history and is known for its involvement during the Second World War. Berlin is one of the most developed cities in Europe and thousands of people visit it in order to explore the museum, galleries, historic landmarks, and other tourist attractions.
Berlin is the capital of Germany and is the seventh most populous area in the European Union. It is located towards the northeast of Germany, on the banks of River Havel and Spree. The history of the place dates back to the 12th century when it consisted of several small settlements. It was in the 15th century that Berlin was established as the capital of the margraviate and was ruled by the Hohenzollern family till 1918. It played a very important role in the Second World War because the Nazi party killed the Jewish community of Berlin, which is referred to as the Holocaust. Due to the rich history of the place there are a lot of things to do in Berlin. You can get started by exploring the Reichstag that is where the German parliament is or can go to see the Berlin Wall and learn about why the wall was created to divide the city. Some of the other things to do in Berlin include going to the museums in order to learn about the history of the city. Some of the places that you should visit include Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Memorial, Museum Island, Soviet War Memorial, and the Topography of Terror.
One of the most important cities in the world, Berlin is located on the Northern European Plain that is on the northwest side of the country. The climate of the city can be classified as maritime temperate with warm summers and cool winters. The city has six main districts known as City West, East, East Central, Mitte, North, and the South. You can reach the city by travelling via plane and landing at the Tegel International Airport and the Schönefeld Airport. Other means of transport include travelling by bus, train or car. The city receives thousands of tourists every year, so there are several places that you can visit. If you are a history buff, you should visit the Deutsches Historisches Museum, Kulturforum, Museen Charlotteburg, Museen Dahlem, and the Museumsinsel. Since Berlin is the city of art you should visit art galleries like the Art Center Berlin Friedrichstraße, Galerie Eigen & Art, and the loop -- raum fur aktuelle kunst. After you are done with this, you can have a look at the important landmarks like the Berlin Wall or Checkpoint Charlie. There are plenty of things to explore for nature lovers, as they can head to Berlin Zoo, Tierpark Berli, Viktoriapark, Tempelhofer Park, and the Botanischer Garten.
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 German Historical Museum is very popular with tourists. It is easy to see why. With most countries, the museums just tell you the best parts of its history. However, Germany’s actions in recent history were so abhorrent that they cannot be tiptoed around. This results in one of the most unique museums on earth, where you learn about some of the atrocities from the nation that committed those atrocities itself, in a very respectful and apologetic manner.The history of Germany before the world wars is also endlessly fascinating. Even people who have no interest in history will be moved by this splendid museum.
Established in 1987, the German Historical Museum has many different displays about the history of Germany. The display about life after World War 2 is easily the most fascinating one. It is titled ‘DEFEAT. LIBERATION. NEW BEGINNING.’ It is so fascinating because it shows what happened to the people in the countries commonly seen as the bad side in World War 2. You realize that you haven’t really thought about what they went through, and the display does a great job of showing the hardships without trivializing the effects on other countries. The museum is open daily 10am to 6pm.
The Museum Island is a UNESCO National Heritage Site and is located on the Spree Island. The Museum island is a complex of museums with all the ancient history put together in one place! Thousands of tourists every year visit the five famous museums, its more like an enormous visual library!
Make sure that when you visit Berlin, you reserve an entire day for this place, as it has some of the most famous artifacts that date back to the prehistoric era. Parts of this museum are closed due to restoration and expansion work. The Pergamon Museum, the Museum of Islamic Art and the Market Gate of Miletus are not to miss.
The Bode Museum comprises of different sculptures and treasures from different empires and dynasties. The Altes Museum consists of contemporary art and shows antiques from the Roman and Greek era. The Neues Museum is home to different objects from the Egyptian era and has an impressive antique collection. Lastly, there is the Alte National Gallery that has different types of artwork from the eighteenth, nineteenth, and the twentieth century.
Art hungry? Alte Nationalgalerie is one place that would satisfy your imagination. And If art is not one of your interests; this gallery will inspire you still. The building was constructed in 1861, and has retained all the charm of the era it was created in. The architects wanted it to combine art, nation, and history. which makes the building look like a church with a temple and a theater.
The collection here is fantastic, and everyone is sure to find something of interest. Many different art movements are represented in the collection, including Romantic, Neoclassical, French Impressionism, and early Modernism as well. The collection includes art from some of the most legendary artists of these movements such as Max Liebermann, Caspar David Friedrich, Karl Blechen and many more.
Alte Nationalgalerie is surrounded by many other museums but manages to stand out due to its architecture. The gallery is open every day except Monday, and the opening hours are 10am to 6pm, except on Thursdays when it is open till 8pm.
