Branderburger Tor and other Berlin, Germany Things to Do Tips

This is probably the place most tourists head for straight after they come to Berlin. At least we did so. We were lucky to see there a temporary exhibition presenting the history of the Gate. Looking at the photographs it was easier to imagine different stages the place has gone through.
Branderburger Tor was built in 1791 as one of 18 city gates and is the only one that remained. Six doric columns form 5 passageways of which the middle one is the widest. This one was used by the sovereign and the royal family. At the top we can see the Quadriga - a chariot pulled by four horses and driven by the goddess of victory. The gate had to part with its chariot for almost eight years when in 1806 Napoleon took it to Paris. After Napoleon's defeat, Prussian soldiers brought the quadriga back to Berlin. This time a new addition was made - a Prussian eagle. For years the Gate has been a silent witness of many events. During the WW II the buildings around were destroyed and for a long time the Gate was standing lonely, becoming the symbol of division into the East and West. On August 13, 1961 it was the first border checkpoint to be closed. After 28 years it was also here that Berliners celebrated the reunification. And thus the Gate has become the symbol of freedom.

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Address: Pariser Platz, Berlin-Mitte
Directions: S-Bahn: Unter den Linden, Bus 100

The Wall, whose total length was 155 km, was erected over one night - on August 13th, 1961. The division tore apart the city and the nation. It may sound impersonal so it's worth remembering that in fact it tore apart many families and friends. Not everyone was able to accept this division passively. Some desperate 'daredevils' tried to cross the Wall. About 150 of them paid for it with their lives.
3 200 were caught and imprisoned. Finally, after 28 years, the Wall fell and the moment came when Berliners from the opposite sides of the Wall could fall into each other's arms. But they can't forget the times of inhuman regime and don't want to forget about the victims.

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The memorial has benn completed very recently. It consists of over 2500 stone blocks of different height symbolizing the gravestones. Here and there a tree has been planted, but all the same the place makes a very stern and depressing impression, which of course must have been the intention of its authors. The place was still fenced when we were there but I imagine that the overwhelming feeling of being lost and lonely must be very intense when you walk among the blocks.

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Directions: to the south of the Branderburger Tor

The edifice of Reichstag with the square towers at its ends is situated north west of the Branderburger Gate. On the wide outdoor steps leading to the entrance you can usually see a queue of people waiting to go inside. Don't let the queue put you off. Going up to the glass cupola crowning the building is an absolute 'must'. By the way, the entrance is free.
Completed in 1894, Reichstag was for the first 24 years of its history the seat of Parliament of German Reich, then of German Republic. The first steel and glass cupola was destroyed in 1933, and the building suffered much in the last days of WW II. For long years after the war it was not used for parliamentary functions. Only after the reunification it was decided that Reichstag will be used again as Parliament. Before its renovation it was wrapped by Christo and Jeanne Claude, which was considered a big artistic event. The rebuilding of the dome was questionable, but finally the decision was made to to construct it and in 1997 it crowned the building - to the common joy of Berliners and tourists.

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Phone: 22 73 21 52
Address: Platz der Republik, Berlin-Tiergarten
Directions: Bus 100

A glass dome crowning Reichstag looks impressive with its diameter of 40 metres and height of 28m. It offers an unforgettable view of Berlin as well as an 'insight' into the building. But above all it is the construction itself that arouses real admiration. You walk up the top terrace inside the dome. Its inner cone is covered with the mirrors which cause various optical illusions and also direct the light to the chambers below. The mirrors can be shaded by means of a computer thus letting only the amount of light needed.
Real masterpiece!

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Phone: 22 73 21 52
Address: Platz der Republik, Berlin-Tiergarten
Directions: Bus 100

The church was built in 1891-95 to commemorate Wilhelm I - the first German king. During WW II it was destroyed but the plans to rebuild it didn't meet with common acceptance. They were followed by the decision to leave the ruin as the reminder of the horrors of war. In the years 1959-61 new buildings were added to create a complex: a bell tower and a flat-roofed octagonal hall.

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Phone: +49- (0)30- 218 50 23
Address: Breitscheidplatz, Berlin-Charlottenburg
Directions: U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten
Website: http://www.gedaechtniskirche.de

From outside the buildings may seem unattractive but the blue glass window panes (there are 22 000 of them) make a lasting impression. The efect is even intensified at night when the buildings glitter with the bluish light.

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Phone: +49- (0)30- 218 50 23
Address: Breitscheidplatz, Berlin-Charlottenburg
Directions: U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten
Website: http://www.gedaechtniskirche.de

The place is not at all so obvious to find. We were looking for a Jewish cemetary and going along Sophienstr we peeped inside one of the courtyards expecting it to be a private property. To our surprise it turned out to be quite a big courtyard with beautifully restored houses around, lush greenery and a charming cafe. No wonder that we looked around for more courtyards and saw truly amazing quiet places with little shops, cafes, restaurants and cinematheatres.
Only then did we read that the place used to be inhabited mostly by Jews. The complex with eight rear courtyards was built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. It was used for variety of purposes: little factories, flats, shops and restaurants. The courtyards have been faithfully restored and become more and more popular.

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Address: Hackescher Markt, Berlin-Mitte
Directions: S-Bahn: Hackescher Markt

The palace was built in 1695 on the orders of Elector Friedrich III for his wife Sophie-Charlotte. She was a woman of exceptional beauty and intelligence so she fully deserved such a residence, which first was intended as a summer palace. But when the Elector became the Prussian King Friedriech I, the palace was expanded.
It's a fine example of Baroque style. Its creamy colour together with the green of the dome make it look light, graceful and feminine.
In the front courtyard you can see a proud statue of the great Elector on a horse.

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Phone: 320 91-1
Address: Luisenplatz 1, Berlin-Charlottenburg
Directions: Bus X9, 109, 145, 210

Unfortunately, we were not able to enter the palace. It was Monday - the day most museums are closed. So the collection of porcelain must still wait for us. But the walk in the park partly made up for it.
The park behind the palace was laid out in the French style. It's a perfect place for a stroll on a warm sunny day. Beautiful flowers, singing birds and few people - this is what it was like on a May day. At the end of the park there's a teahouse with another collection of porcelain.

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Phone: 320 91-1
Address: Luisenplatz 1, Berlin-Charlottenburg
Directions: Bus X9, 109, 145, 210