Top attractions in Berlin
- Panna
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Brandenburg Gate
(German: Brandenburg Gate )
One of Berlin's most famous and iconic neoclassical monuments, it is a symbol of the history of not only Berlin but also of all of Germany, and is often referred to as a symbol of peace, unity, and freedom.
Built between 1788-91, commissioned by King Frederick William II of Prussia. Inspired by the Acropolis in Athens. Originally a city gate on the western border of Berlin.
Structure:
12 main columns, six in front and six in back – these form 5 gateways (originally only the ruler could pass through the middle one).
Quadriga sculpture group on top: the goddess of victory driving a four-horse chariot (Eirène / Victoria) – created by Johann Gottfried Schadow.
When Napoleon occupied Berlin in 1806, he had the Quadriga statue taken to Paris.
In 1814, after Napoleon was defeated, the statue was returned and given new decorations (e.g. an iron cross).
From the end of the 19th century, the gate became a symbol of Prussian - and later German - power and became the venue for military parades and state events.
The Nazis often used it for propaganda purposes.
It was severely damaged in World War II, but not completely destroyed.
During the Cold War, the Brandenburg Gate stood on the border between East and West Berlin.
The Berlin Wall ran right next to it, making the gate a symbol of division. After the wall was torn down in 1989, it became a symbol of reunification, with huge crowds celebrating freedom here.
Berlin Wall Memorial:
A historic zone on Bernauer Straße that preserves original wall remains and watchtowers. Pieces of the original Berlin Wall can also be purchased.
Holocaust Memorial:
A monument consisting of 2,711 gray concrete columns in memory of the Jewish victims of Nazism.
Reichstag:
The dome of the German parliament can be visited (with prior registration), with panoramic views.
Charlottenburg Palace:
Baroque palace with a beautiful garden – the former Prussian royal residence.
East Side Gallery:
The longest surviving section of the Berlin Wall, painted by over a hundred international artists in the name of freedom.
Alexanderplatz:
The 368-meter TV tower stands on one of Berlin's main squares - an observation deck and restaurant above the city.
Checkpoint Charlie:
Checkpoint Charlie was the most famous crossing point on the border between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. It was named after the English NATO phonetic alphabet: "Checkpoint C" (Charlie = C).
After World War II, Germany and the city of Berlin were divided by the victorious Allies into four occupation zones: American, British, French, and Soviet. The eastern part of the city was controlled by the Soviet Union, and the western part by the Western Allies. As the conflict deepened, two Germanys were established in 1949: the GDR (East Germany) and the FRG (West Germany).
On August 13, 1961, the GDR government began building the Berlin Wall to prevent the mass exodus of its citizens to the West. The wall divided the city both physically and politically.
Checkpoint Charlie then became the main border crossing for foreigners, Western diplomats, and soldiers who wanted to cross from West Berlin to East Berlin.
Many people tried to escape from East Berlin to West Berlin, often using life-threatening methods. Among other things, people tried to cross by car, disguised, through tunnels, or even by hot air balloon. However, many were captured or killed by border guards. Checkpoint Charlie also became a symbol of this dramatic era.
On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell and Checkpoint Charlie lost its original function. Today, only its reconstruction can be seen as a tourist attraction at the intersection of Friedrichstraße and Zimmerstraße.
Nearby is the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, a museum that tells the story of the wall, escape attempts, and the Cold War era.
Trabant Museum:
For us Hungarians, this is less special, but it's still worth checking out this cool museum near Checkpoint Charlie.
Tiergarten Park:
Berlin's largest park, an ideal place for a relaxing walk or picnic. It features beautiful promenades, statues, lakes and the Siegessäule (Victory Column).
Kurfürstendamm:
Berlin's most popular shopping street, full of shops, cafes and restaurants. It is the city's "Champs-Élysées".
Museum Island (Museumsinsel):
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is located here:
Pergamonmuseum – ancient monumental buildings (e.g. Pergamon Altar, Ishtar Gate)
Neues Museum – home to the Egyptian collection, including the famous bust of Nefertiti
Altes Museum – Greek and Roman art treasures, classicist building
Alte Nationalgalerie – 19th century German Romanticism, Impressionism (e.g. Caspar David Friedrich)
Bode-Museum – Byzantine art, sculpture collection
Museum Island is at least a half-day program, but it is worth planning a longer visit.
DDR Museum:
Interactive experience exhibition about everyday life in East Germany: Trabi simulator, GDR apartment interiors, secret police observations.
Berlin is a culturally open, tolerant and livable city, where you can generally travel safely, even alone. The usual precautions of a big city (avoiding pickpockets, nighttime traffic) are enough for a safe trip. There is a constant police presence at major metro stations, and the main attractions in Berlin are also well guarded. However, because of pickpockets, it is worth paying attention to your valuables, do not wear spectacularly expensive jewelry, put money and bank cards in a closed bag, hold the bag in front so that you can grab it, and avoid certain parts of the city, such as Görlitzer Park, because it is said to be the largest drug distribution center in the city.
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