Sights 
Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburger gate was built between 1788 to -91 in neo-classical style and is the sole remaining city gate in the city and also its most well known landmark.
Today it stands as a symbol of a divided city, since the wall ran just west of the gate. During the days of the wall it remained closed, since it was in dreaded “no mans land” close to the wall, but was reopened as soon as the wall fell in 1989.
Today it stands as a symbol of a divided city, since the wall ran just west of the gate. During the days of the wall it remained closed, since it was in dreaded “no mans land” close to the wall, but was reopened as soon as the wall fell in 1989.
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Reichstag/Parliament buildung in BerlinThese sequence of buildings have played important parts in the history of Germany and Berlin, here’s a few you’ll get to know more about during the tour. On November the 9th 1918 the SPD politician Philipp Scheidermann declared the creation of the German Republic. On the evening of February the 27th 1933 the building was set ablaze by Nazi conspirators. During the final days of the siege of Berlin on April the 30th 1945 a couple of soviet soldiers ascended up to the roof of the Reichstag and flagged the red banner (the hammer and the sickle), symbolizing the definitive victory over Nazi Germany.
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After years of reconstructive work the Parliament building opened its doors to the public in 1999. You can get in for free today and get a magnificent view of the city from the futuristic dome.
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On October the 4th 1990 the first of the German Parliament assembled in the Chamber of pillars in the Reichstag as a symbol of reunification.
The glass dome you see today was created by British architect Sir Norman Forester as is today one of the most popular attractions in Berlin.
In the summer of 1995 the two American artists, Christo and Jeanne-Claude, wrapped the entire building up in a polypropylene fabric, or 100 000 m2 was used. The spectacle attracted millions of visitors and helped the building achieve global popularity.
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Der Gendarmenmarkt
Smack in the middle of Berlin is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. The square holds the French and the German cathedral on opposite sides of each other with the concert hall in the middle.
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Die Siegessäule / The Victory Column
With its golden Victoria on top of a 8.3 m tall pillar the Victory Column stands as one of the most striking landmarks in Berlin. It was ordered to commemorate the Prussian victory over Denmark in 1864.
The Berliners fondly refer to the angel on top as the “Goldelse”, which translates into something like the Golden Lizzy.
The popularity of this monument depend on several things, it’s beautiful location, the fact the love parade used to have a closing party around the column and more recently, Barack Obama held his speech next to it in 2008.
It’s possible to ascend the column which will reward you with a magnificent view of the city.
The Berliners fondly refer to the angel on top as the “Goldelse”, which translates into something like the Golden Lizzy.
The popularity of this monument depend on several things, it’s beautiful location, the fact the love parade used to have a closing party around the column and more recently, Barack Obama held his speech next to it in 2008.
It’s possible to ascend the column which will reward you with a magnificent view of the city.
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Berliner Dom / Berlin Cathedral
With its distinctive shape and central location the cathedral is one of the biggest attractions of the German capitol. The construction of the neo-renaissance building you see today started in 1905, but before that there had been several other churches on its location. During the war the cathedral was bombed and burned, but has today been almost completely restored.
Inside the Cathedral have lots to offer, the impressive dome, the imperial staircase, the Hohenzollem crypt, a museum and the regular sermons. The Cathedral was constructed as a response as response to the protestant Peters Dom. The architect, Julius Carl Raschdorff, was assigned to draw the building you can see today by Kaiser Wilhelm II, the construction dragged on from 1894 to 1905.
Inside the Cathedral have lots to offer, the impressive dome, the imperial staircase, the Hohenzollem crypt, a museum and the regular sermons. The Cathedral was constructed as a response as response to the protestant Peters Dom. The architect, Julius Carl Raschdorff, was assigned to draw the building you can see today by Kaiser Wilhelm II, the construction dragged on from 1894 to 1905.
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Berliner Fernsehturm / TV Tower
This, the tallest building in the city is impossible to miss if spend any amount of time in Berlin. It stands tall over everything else in the city and is from bottom to top 368 m. Its viewing platform is located at a height of 208 m.
The architecture of the tower traces back to Hermann Henselmann and was laid out by a group of architects. The constriction lasted from 1965 to 69 and television broadcasts began in October the same year.
The tower is part of the World Federation of Great Towers and consists of a 250 m tall reinforced concrete tower with a stainless steel ball on the top. You can grab an elevator up to the ball where you get a stunning panorama of the city. You can also grab something to eat here at the Tele café. What’s more is that the metal ball rotates; it takes about 30 min for a full rotation.
Finally, on top of the ball is a 118 m tall television antenna.
The architecture of the tower traces back to Hermann Henselmann and was laid out by a group of architects. The constriction lasted from 1965 to 69 and television broadcasts began in October the same year.
The tower is part of the World Federation of Great Towers and consists of a 250 m tall reinforced concrete tower with a stainless steel ball on the top. You can grab an elevator up to the ball where you get a stunning panorama of the city. You can also grab something to eat here at the Tele café. What’s more is that the metal ball rotates; it takes about 30 min for a full rotation.
Finally, on top of the ball is a 118 m tall television antenna.
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Museumsinsel / Museum IslandThe massive number of ancient artifacts, magnificent paintings among other treasures makes the museum island a truly unique hotspot for global cultural heritage. There are a total of 5 beautiful museums crammed on this small space next to the Spree.
In the southern parts of the island, near the Castle Bridge and the Berliner Cathedral is the Old Museum. In the north you find the New Museum and the Old National Gallery. On the other side of the copper fence is the grand Pergamon and next to that the Bode Museum. This area grew consistently for about a hundred years before the war, in which about 70 % of it was destroyed. Since then there’s been almost constant reconstruction and restoration work which still isn’t finished.
In the Old National Gallery you find the works of French impressionists (such as Manet, Monet, Renoir) and some works from the romantic period (by Caspar David Friedrich and Karl Friedrich Schinkel).
Inside the Bode Museum you find a wide range of sculptures and paintings on display, but the highlight of what the Island has to offer has to be the Pergamon. Inside is a massive collection of treasures from ancient Greece, the Middle East and the Islamic world. The collection includes the reconstructed Pergamon altar and the Ishtar Gate.
In the southern parts of the island, near the Castle Bridge and the Berliner Cathedral is the Old Museum. In the north you find the New Museum and the Old National Gallery. On the other side of the copper fence is the grand Pergamon and next to that the Bode Museum. This area grew consistently for about a hundred years before the war, in which about 70 % of it was destroyed. Since then there’s been almost constant reconstruction and restoration work which still isn’t finished.
In the Old National Gallery you find the works of French impressionists (such as Manet, Monet, Renoir) and some works from the romantic period (by Caspar David Friedrich and Karl Friedrich Schinkel).
Inside the Bode Museum you find a wide range of sculptures and paintings on display, but the highlight of what the Island has to offer has to be the Pergamon. Inside is a massive collection of treasures from ancient Greece, the Middle East and the Islamic world. The collection includes the reconstructed Pergamon altar and the Ishtar Gate.
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Potsdamer Platz
Potsdamer Platz
More than any other modern buildings in Berlin, Potsdamer Platz takes the cake. The ambitious plan, basically going form nothing into creating a new city centre, took about ten years to complete.
These new buildings basically create a city within a city. Nowhere else in the world can over 2500 tons of steel and glass shine and sparkle as beautifully as the Sony Centre does at Porsdamer Platz. The ceiling is a fan of feathers which are lit up by changing lights. It almost looks like a giant umbrella, with the fabrics making up the ceiling secured in the middle. In the semi-circular glass tower you find the office of Deutsche Bahn AG (German railway)
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Gedächtniskirche /Kaiser Wilhelm Kirche
On the famous avenue Kurfürstendamm stands this uniqie church with is a symbol for peace and reconciliation. It’s the most famous landmark for the changes and development Berlin went though after the war.
The contrasts here between the modern and old is sharp, to say the least. What the protestant church is today is a mix other the ruins of the old church as well as the new buildings added after the war.
The original church was built in neo-Romanesque style, was commissioned to be built by Kaiser Wilhelm II in memory of his late father, Wilhelm I. It was constructed between 1891 and 95.
After severe bomb raids during 1943, most of the church was destroyed. It stands today as a memory to the horrible destruction that follows war. After the war, the church was scheduled to be demolished, but this resulted in fierce protests, so a new plan was laid out.
In this new plan, the ruins was kept and made into a memorial hall for the victims of the war. Next to that a new belfry was built as well as a brand new chapel. These were built between 1959 and 63. These new additions are nicknamed as the lipstick and the powder box by Berliners, when you see it you’ll see why.
The contrasts here between the modern and old is sharp, to say the least. What the protestant church is today is a mix other the ruins of the old church as well as the new buildings added after the war.
The original church was built in neo-Romanesque style, was commissioned to be built by Kaiser Wilhelm II in memory of his late father, Wilhelm I. It was constructed between 1891 and 95.
After severe bomb raids during 1943, most of the church was destroyed. It stands today as a memory to the horrible destruction that follows war. After the war, the church was scheduled to be demolished, but this resulted in fierce protests, so a new plan was laid out.
In this new plan, the ruins was kept and made into a memorial hall for the victims of the war. Next to that a new belfry was built as well as a brand new chapel. These were built between 1959 and 63. These new additions are nicknamed as the lipstick and the powder box by Berliners, when you see it you’ll see why.
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House of world cultures "Schwangere Auster"
Knows at the pregnant oyster to the locals, the house of world cultures was formerly the congress hall but is now a forum for dialogue with cultures from all over the world. The focus is on non European cultures and art exhibits, readings, concerts etc. are arranged here.
It was built in 1957 and is a gift from the US as part of the “interbrau” (the international building exhibition). The architect is Hugh Stubbins and the building features a two-way floating ceiling effect. In 1980 the ceiling collapsed, but it was rebuilt and opened its gates again in 1987 during the 750 year jubilee in Berlin.
It was built in 1957 and is a gift from the US as part of the “interbrau” (the international building exhibition). The architect is Hugh Stubbins and the building features a two-way floating ceiling effect. In 1980 the ceiling collapsed, but it was rebuilt and opened its gates again in 1987 during the 750 year jubilee in Berlin.
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Schloss Bellevue - residence of the german president
This three building complex was built during 1785-86 and was designed by Philipp Daniel Boumann. It was put up for Prince Ferdinand of Prussia and became the first neo classical building in Berlin and all of Germany. Today the palace serves as the residence and headquarters for the Federal President of Germany.
During the last year of the Second World War the palace was severely damaged but was repaired during the early 50ties. In the mid 50ties the palace became the secondary residence of the President and finally in 1994 it became the primary residence.
During the last year of the Second World War the palace was severely damaged but was repaired during the early 50ties. In the mid 50ties the palace became the secondary residence of the President and finally in 1994 it became the primary residence.
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Schloss Charlottenburg
The palace is the grandest and, according to most, the prettiest palace in Berlin. It was built during the 17th century and expanded during the following century. The style was originally baroque, but the expansions provided additions in rococo style.
The original reason for erecting the palace was as a summer residence for Sophie Charlotte, the wife of Friedrich the III, Elector of Brandenburg. The commission went to Johann Arnold Nering, who with the help of Martin Grünberg and Anderas Schlüter, designed this magnificent building. In the former theater is not the museum of prehistory and early history, which holds many ancient treasures. Some of the museums most impressive items were donated by Heinrich Schliemann after his excavations of Troy.
The original reason for erecting the palace was as a summer residence for Sophie Charlotte, the wife of Friedrich the III, Elector of Brandenburg. The commission went to Johann Arnold Nering, who with the help of Martin Grünberg and Anderas Schlüter, designed this magnificent building. In the former theater is not the museum of prehistory and early history, which holds many ancient treasures. Some of the museums most impressive items were donated by Heinrich Schliemann after his excavations of Troy.
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Checkpoint CharlieThere’s numerous of stories and legends involving this point of crossing between East and West Berlin. In 1961, tensions grew stronger between both sides holding Berlin which resulted in the Soviet side putting up the wall.
Checkpoint C became the only crossing point on Friedrichstrasse which allowed people to travel between both sides. Not everyone was allowed passage though and it was mainly used for officials from both sides.
After the wall came down in 89 it remained an official crossing point until the reunification in October 1990. Today, it’s one of Berlin’s most popular sights and right by the vicinity of the rebuilt checkpoint is a museum.
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Checkpoint C became the only crossing point on Friedrichstrasse which allowed people to travel between both sides. Not everyone was allowed passage though and it was mainly used for officials from both sides.
After the wall came down in 89 it remained an official crossing point until the reunification in October 1990. Today, it’s one of Berlin’s most popular sights and right by the vicinity of the rebuilt checkpoint is a museum.
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Rotes Rathaus / Red Town Hall
This is the seat of the mayor of Berlin as well as the senate of Berlin. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city with its facade of red clinker bricks. The building was drawn up by Hermann Waesemann and build between 1861 and 1869. The style of the massive building is that of north Italian high Renaissance.
As nearly every other building in the city over 70 years old it got badly damaged during the war. It was however repaired and restored by the soviets and served as the town hall of east Berlin. The western town hall at this time was Rathaus Schöneberg, but since 1991, the red town hall is the common seat of the Berliner senate.
As nearly every other building in the city over 70 years old it got badly damaged during the war. It was however repaired and restored by the soviets and served as the town hall of east Berlin. The western town hall at this time was Rathaus Schöneberg, but since 1991, the red town hall is the common seat of the Berliner senate.
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Source: With friendly support from www.visitberlin.de