Berlin tour
Berlin ?s past is dark, not only as the nerve center of Hitler ?s Nazi regime of terror, but also as the battlefield of the Cold War. But, with its new facelift, glitzy clubs, flashy skyscrapers, and ritzy fashion boutiques have sprung up all over the streets of Berlin. Yes, the Post-Millennium Berlin has now recast itself as the ?Hippest Capital" of the continent. However, this doesn't mean that Berlin is escaping its past. In fact, She is reconciling with her notorious past and moving on with sheer confidence into her future. After a fifty-year break, Berlin is now back, back as the capital of a reinstated Germany and back as one of the greatest cities in Europe.
Berlin was once upon a time bombed to nothingness during World War II. Its streets were reduced to piles of debris and rubble, its parks to muddy masses. But, the effervescent strength and spirit and the will of the extraordinary Berliners has enabled them to fight on and not only survive the wartime devastation of their beloved city, but also its postwar downfall. Today, Berlin is a booming city.
Reichstag
The Reichstag is considered to be one of the most important landmarks in the History of Berlin. It is the place of the German Parliament and was constructed after the German empire was built in 1872, when the need of a parliamentary building was realized. Its designer, Paul Wallot built it with a neo-renaissance influence. Interestingly its inscription " Dem Deustschen Volke" which means "to the German People" was not added till 1916, many years after the Reichstag was built.
Over the years the Reichstag has been subject to fires and wars and lots of reconstructions and shifting. Now with its glass dome, proximity to the Brandenburger Tor and its landmark status, the Reichstag is a very popular tourist destination in Berlin.
Brandenburger Gate
The Brandenburger gate signifies the unification of the unity of the city of Berlin. The Brandenburger gate was a divide for east and West Berlin. Now after the demolition of the Berlin wall, the Brandenburger gate is the only symbol that shows the unity of Berlin that was a broken down and in a depressed state after the Cold War.
The famous Brandenburger Gate, built between 1778 and 1791 gives its credit for its design to Carl Gotthard. Its fa\'ade is adorned with depictions of Greek mythology. Its famous Quadriga, which signifies victory and peace is its crowning glory. The Quadriga was taken to Paris prior to the battle of Waterloo and returned after the Victory of the Germans over the French, ever since the Quadriga is the Symbol of Victory. This gate is the only part of the Berlin Wall that is still standing.
Museum Island
The Museum Island consists of 5 museums on an island between the Spree River and the Kupfergraben. This sanctuary of art and science has been given a heritage site status by the UNESCO in the year 2000, and is an important part of the culture and history of Berlin. King Friedrich Wilhelm came up with the idea to build the museum to display the royal treasures, art and artifacts for the public to view. While on a Berlin tour, people must visit this Museum Island to get a glimpse into the history of Berlin. Children will find a trip to the Museum Island fascinating.
The museums are the New Museum, the Old National Gallery, the Kaiser-Friedrich or the Bode Museum and the Pergamon Museum, which is the crown jewel of the Museum Island. These museums have a vast collection of Greek, Roman art, French impressionist paintings and German sculptures and art. Most of these museums had to be reconstructed and rebuilt after the World War II, where more than 70% of all architecture was destroyed.
Alexanderplatz
If you come to Berlin, you have to take a tour of the Alexanderplatz or the Alex, one of the busiest squares in Berlin. Initially this was called the Ox Market or the Ochsenmarkt. The name of the place was changed to Alexanderplatz after a visit by Tzar Alexander. The Alexanderplatz was initially used to display socialist Architecture, which was garish and awkward, consisting on boring buildings and a TV tower. Most of these buildings were destroyed during the cold war, but the TV tower still stands.
The TV tower, the Tele-spargel or the Fernsehturm as it is known as is a mammoth of a structure and one of the largest in Europe. You can enjoy a magnificent view of Berlin from the Tele caf 207metres above ground level. This busy market square has two beautiful structures to call its own, the Weltzeituhr or the World time clock and the Fountain of International friendship. Though some may think that the Alexanderplatz is the least attractive architecture in all of Berlin, efforts are being made to beautify it.
Nikolaiviertel
Situated close to the Alexanderplatz and Mitte, the Nikolaiviertel or St. Nicholas square is a little district in a place of history. Before the destruction caused by the World War II, Nikolaiviertel used to have some of the oldest and lovely building in Berlin. Thanks to the 8-year reconstruction efforts, some of its former beauty, buildings, and pedestrian friendly streets have been replicated. The Nikolaiviertel is now a perfect tourist destination with its quaint shops, restaurants and corner cafes that every one on a Berlin tour should visit.
In the middle of the Nikolaiviertel is the Nikolaikirche, or the St. Nicholas church, which is the oldest church in Berlin. This ancient church, built in the 13th century was also destroyed during the war and then later built. It is now inclusive of a museum to depict the history of Berlin.
Another feature of Nikolaiviertel is the Rotes Rathaus, of the red town hall. This renaissance style town hall got its name thanks to the red bricks used to make it. After its destruction and reconstruction post world war, it is now the Berlin town hall and is the official residence of the Mayor of Berlin.
Berlin Wall
This most popular symbol of the World War II was made to separate the east and west of Berlin. This great divide much like the Great Wall of China was a monument of history, though it was a monument that reflected the War and the destruction. The fall of the Berlin wall was a great date in history. Though most parts of the Berlin wall has been destroyed, tourists can see a few standing parts of it at the Reichstag and the Bernauer strasse, where the destruction of the wall initially began.
Holocaust Memorial
The Holocaust memorial was dedicated to the memory of the six million European Jews that were brutally murdered at the Orders of German Dictator, Adolf Hitler. This memorial came in place 60 years after the Nazi regime was defeated and the World war ended. This interesting and uber important piece of architecture is of 205,000 square feet. It is situated near the Brandenburg Gate and is just spaces away from the ruins of Hitler's bunker. People who come to the Memorial can walk and move around in any direction, as there is no specific pattern to the tragic Memorial.
So whether you are at the Berlin Olympiastadion, the Berlin Wall or the Holocaust Memorial?Berlin with its reconstructed makeover is a place full of history, culture and modernity.
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