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Berlin is a city with a dramatic history. Each century has left behind a legacy that is interesting to look at. It is also worth familiarizing yourself with the iconic buildings of the city.
Who and why should come to Berlin
People who are interested in history, in particular the events of the Second World War, will definitely have something to do in the capital of Germany. There are many architectural monuments and memorials dedicated to these tragic events and their consequences. Be sure to explore the Berlin Wall and visit the museum of the same name, take a walk through the Treptower Park and look into the Reichstag building.
Nature lovers will also enjoy Berlin. The city has many green parks and zoos where you can see various animals and birds. There is even an opportunity to communicate with them closer. The largest of these attractions are the Berlin Zoo, Lustarten and Friedrichsfelde. Walking through the Botanical Garden and the Tiergarten will also give you a lot of pleasure.
Cultural attractions
Brandenburg Gate
This is a business card and the most recognizable landmark of Berlin. The construction of the gate began in 1781 by order of Friedrich Wilhelm II and lasted 10 years.
The main decoration of the gate is the goddess of victory Victoria, who rides a chariot drawn by four horses. In the northern wing of the gate is the Hall of Silence, where people come to remember the past and reflect on the consequences of the war.
Berlin Cathedral
The cathedral was built in the late XIX — early XX centuries in the style of the Italian Renaissance. The central part of the building is crowned with a dome, and on the sides there are two wings with chapels. The interior of the temple is represented by stained-glass windows, mosaics, paintings with biblical scenes. Here you can climb to the observation deck and look around the city from a height.
Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz is one of the main squares of the capital of Germany and a transport interchange of the central part of the city. Architectural buildings on the square are striking in their diversity: there are pre-war buildings and modern buildings.
On Alexanderplatz you can see the old church of St. Mary, the Red Town Hall, as well as the Berlin TV Tower, whose height is 368 m.
Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall symbolizes a difficult time and the separation of the German people. It divided into two parts not only the country, but also thousands of families for almost 30 years. When the wall fell, there was practically nothing left of it, and the artists decorated its fragments with graffiti.
Today, many people come to Berlin just to see this unique historical site. The Berlin Wall is a symbol of freedom and unity for people who have lived in isolation for a long time.
Kaiser Wilhelm Church
The temple was built in honor of Wilhelm, the first German Kaiser. At that time it was the highest church in the city (the height of the tower crowning it reached 113 m). However, during the war, the building was destroyed, and only the western tower remained of it.
They decided not to restore the church, but they did not completely destroy it either. It has become a monument that carries a warning about what war threatens everyone with. The temple is open to the public, and on Sundays it hosts organ music concerts.
German Drama Theater
The theater is located in the central area of the city of Mitte, where government offices are also located. It consists of two halls — the main hall for 600 seats and the chamber hall for 250 seats. Performances of the classical repertoire are shown on the main stage, and modern productions are shown on the small stage. In 1990, the Drama Theater became one of the five state theaters in Berlin.
Old National Gallery
The gallery is located on the Museum Island of Berlin. Here are paintings belonging to different eras and painted by masters of different genres: classicism, romanticism, early modernism and impressionism. The building of the National Gallery is a piece of art in itself. A large number of exhibits attract tourists and locals here.
Museums in Berlin
Bode Museum
Bode is also located on the Museum Island and consists of the Sculpture Collection, the Coin Office and the Museum of Byzantine Art. It was founded by Emperor Frederick III, who wanted to create an exhibition with valuable exhibits belonging to him.
Art historian Wilhelm von Bode took up the organization. He is credited with the idea of dividing the museum’s rooms in such a way that each room illuminates a certain era, recreating it with the help of exhibits and the interior.
Museum of the History of Medicine
It is located on the territory of the Charité clinic, which belongs to the Free University of Berlin and the University. Humboldt. The complex consists of pathological and modern museums.
Visitors can get acquainted with the history of medicine for the last 4 centuries. In the role of exhibits, devices, tools and apparatus used for medical and pharmaceutical purposes are presented here.
Berlin Wall Museum
The Berlin Wall Museum contains materials that tell about the period of the Wall’s existence and the events associated with it. The exhibits include personal belongings of the inhabitants of the eastern part of Berlin, who attempted to escape, which had a tragic outcome. Also here you can see artifacts relating to the history of the Wall and works of art that are dedicated to that period of history.
Berlin Film Museum
This unusual institution contains everything related to the technology and history of filmmaking — about 13 thousand copies of films, starting from the era of silent films, which are rented to everyone (for non-commercial purposes). Visitors can view photographs, posters and scripts, as well as see a rich collection of movie tickets.
Museum of Antiquities
Initially, the museum, opened in 1830, exhibited the collection of the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm III. Gradually, it was replenished with valuable and rare works of art, materials from archaeological expeditions.
Today, visitors can plunge into the atmosphere of Ancient Rome and Greece and see a unique collection of Fayum portraits. The exposition dedicated to Etruria, a part of ancient Italy, deserves special attention.
Nature and parks in Berlin
Berlin Zoo
The Berlin Zoo is famous all over the world and ranks first in terms of the number of animals kept there. The area of the park is 35 hectares, and more than 13 thousand animals and birds live on its territory, including gorillas, pandas, kiwi and many others.
It also has a huge aquarium — where visitors can stroll through the ocean and river landscapes from the Great Barrier Reef to the Amazon jungle, look at tropical fish, sharks and crocodiles.
Lustgarten park
The name of the park is translated as «Garden of Delights». This is a grassy area, divided into several zones. Lawns are bordered by stone slabs, and trees are planted in the western and eastern parts.
A feature of the Lustgarten is the so-called «soup bowl» — a huge bowl made of granite. Also in the park there is a fountain made of layered limestone, along the perimeter of which there are sprinklers that form clouds of tiny water droplets.
Botanical Garden
This is one of the three most important botanical gardens in the world. Its area is 430 thousand km2. More than 20 thousand species of vegetation grow on the territory of the garden.
Near the entrance, guests are greeted by a sculpture of a lawn sower, and from it there is a main road leading to the greenhouse. Along the way, you can enjoy views of flower gardens, a local lake, picturesque meadows and glades. Also, visitors are waiting for 15 halls, which represent different climatic zones and plants from different countries.
Tropical Island
The water park is located 70 km from the capital of Germany. The air temperature in it stays at +25 °C all year round, and the water temperature at +28 °C.
The park is divided into several thematic zones:
- in the «Flower World» visitors are waiting for mango trees, palm trees and orchids;
- in the «Tropical Village» you can try the national dishes of the Amazon, Thailand, Bali and other exotic countries;
- the South Sea pool has a sandy beach, playgrounds and a jacuzzi.
Treptow park
The park is located on the banks of the river Spree. Initially, it was conceived as a recreation area with sports fields, gardens and fountains, but today Treptow is mainly associated with a memorial complex dedicated to soldiers who died during World War II.
You can also take a walk in the park with children: there is a special playground and attractions, and the Archenhold Astronomical Observatory will be interesting not only for children, but also for their parents.
Tiergarten
The famous Tiergarten occupies a vast area of 210 hectares. Both tourists and locals like to walk here. In the center of the park is the Big Star Square, over which the Victory Column rises.
During the walk, you can see sculptures and monuments, look into a small tea house or sit in a cafe on the shores of Lake Neuer. On a hot day, it is better to rent a boat and take a boat trip.
Zoo Friedrichsfelde
A huge zoo appeared in Berlin after World War II. Now about 7,500 animals live on its territory of 160 hectares, and scientific and breeding work is also underway. It is in this park that breeding of elephants is carried out as part of the state program for their breeding. The rest of the animals and birds roam freely around the territory — tourists especially like to communicate with pelicans, who are the first to meet guests.
Notable buildings
Reichstag
The Reichstag building is the most popular place among tourists coming to Berlin. Its construction lasted for several decades, and as a result, a colossal structure was erected with massive columns in the style of the new renaissance.
The Reichstag witnessed the destruction of World War II, fires, the post-war period and the unification of the two states. After restoration in 1999, the building acquired a glass dome, thanks to which its appearance now embodies the harmony of modernity and history.
Bellevue Palace
For several centuries, Bellevue Palace served as a residence for many noble and wealthy people, and at present it is the residence of the President of the country.
The building was constantly being completed and expanded — new parts were placed at the disposal of high-ranking government officials. Now the palace is closed to public visits, but tourists can see it from the outside and take beautiful photos.
Victory Column
The stele is dedicated to the victories of Germany in various wars: Franco-Prussian, Austro-Prussian and Danish. The column is crowned with a statue of Victoria, the goddess of victory. The building is located in the central part of the Tiergarten park.
The monument is protected by the state and is popular among tourists. Here you can climb to the observation deck, overcoming 285 steps, and admire the panorama of the surroundings of the park.
Grunewald hunting palace
This is an old palace, whose history began in 1542, when Elector Joachim II was its owner. The building has survived to this day. Today it houses a museum, which consists of ethnographic and zoological halls, as well as a palace complex.
Here you can visit the Renaissance hall, look at the paintings of Lucas Cranach the Elder and his son, as well as the canvases of Dutch and German painters, or go to the exhibition of hunting trophies of the owner of the palace.
Maiden Bridge
A drawbridge in the center of Berlin connects the two banks of an arm of the Spree. The name of the bridge is associated with several legends: they say that girls of easy virtue worked on it. According to another version, a seamstress workshop was located under the bridge. Some historians believe that there was a men’s bath nearby, and young girls walked across the bridge in the hope of finding their betrothed.
red town hall
Inside the Red Town Hall there is something to see. Exhibitions and social receptions are held in the Hall of Columns. The large hall is used for ceremonial events and large meetings.
The Armorial Hall got its name because of the coats of arms of all districts of the capital located in it. Official delegations are received here and important agreements are signed. And on the third floor of the Town Hall you can see portraits of honorary citizens of Berlin.
Charlottenburg Palace
This Baroque architectural monument was a gift from King Frederick I of Prussia to his wife Sophia Charlotte of Hanover. Subsequently, the castle became a summer royal residence with a chic park. Charlottenburg enjoys the attention of not only tourists, but also residents of the city. Here you can take a walk after a busy day and have a good time.
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