Berlin (Germany): what to see in the capital


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What to see in Berlin, itinerary including the main monuments and places of interest in the capital of Germany, including Brandenburg Gate, wall and Museum Island.


Tourist information

Capital and seat of the government of Germany, Berlin is a very important city at an international level, where there are cultural and scientific centers, as well as an important fairground.

The city is located in the eastern part of Germany, on the banks of the Spree, a river that flows into the Havel district of Spandau, another waterway that runs through the city.


During its course the Havel forms the Tegeler See and Grosser Wannsee lakes, while in the south-eastern part of the city there is the Müggel lake, the largest and most famous, together with the Grosser Wannsee, in Berlin.

These lakes offer beaches and many opportunities for recreation while traveling in Berlin, such as the beautiful region dotted with lakes and woods which is located at the gates of the city, an ideal destination for pleasant trips.

Berlin was born in 1307 with the unification of two original nuclei, Berlin, east of the river, and Colln, on the island.


The city in 1451 became the residence of the Margraves of Brandenburg, in 1701 it was chosen by Frederick, the first king of Prussia, as the capital of the kingdom.

During this period, the urban layout of the city was developed, two new connecting axes were designed and buildings such as Charlottenburg Castle, the largest historical building left in Berlin after the Second World War, and the Zeughaus arsenal were built.

During the reign of Frederick II, in the eighteenth century, the Prussian capital became significantly embellished, important buildings such as the Opera, the Royal Library and the University arose.


Science, art and culture were encouraged, in 1788 the construction of the famous Brandenburg Gate began, the best-known monument in Berlin, which became a symbol of German unity.

In 1871 Berlin was elected capital of the German Empire of William I and in 1920 Greater Berlin was born, with the incorporation of surrounding municipalities and cities.

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This historical phase coincided with an important cultural flourishing which saw Berlin, together with Moscow and Paris, become one of the capitals dedicated to the good life, luxury, culture and entertainment, where cabarets, meeting places for writers spread and innovative artists.

Followed the years of Hitler's rise to power, the Nazi dictatorship and the Second World War, which caused an impressive destruction in the city.

The consequence of this war and the subsequent cold war between the Soviet and Western blocs was the construction of the wall on August 13, 1961, which divided the city in two.

With the collapse of the wall, which took place on 9 November 1989, Berlin returned to being the capital of reunified Germany.

What see

Brandenburg gate, which was located just behind the wall, in the so-called no man's land, was reopened in 1989.

Unter den Linden, the historic avenue of the city, where the Opera House stands, among others, and where the imposing buildings of the Hohenzollern overlook.

Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedachtnis-Kirche, Memorial Church of Emperor William, bombed by the British in 1943 has not been rebuilt, there are only its ruins as evidence of the destruction caused by the war. Around it, a new church was built in 1961.


Alexanderplaz, an important square in the commercial life of East Berlin.

Opera House, a modern building dedicated to theatrical and ballet performances, located in the area that once corresponded to West Berlin.

Museum Island it is called the northern part of the island of Spree, where there are many museums of international importance including Altes Museum, the oldest, Neues Museum, with finds of Egyptian art, Alte Nationalgalerie, where works of art from the nineteenth century are kept century, Bode Museum, with its original copper dome, where works from the Roman and Byzantine periods are exhibited, Pergamonmuseum, where the Altar of Pergamum is kept.

In the Kulturforum complex, built in the 1950s, there are other museums, including the museum of musical instruments.

In addition, in Berlin there is also an Egyptian museum, inside the Neues Museum, the Brohan-Museum, where works of Art Nouveau are exhibited, and the East Side Gallery, an outdoor museum composed of graffiti placed along a section of the historic wall of Berlin.

Those who prefer contemporary art can visit the Hamburger Bahnhof.


This area has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Potsdamer Platz, is the heart of Berlin and the new Daimler-Benz district, designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano and other European, American and Japanese architects.

Neighboring Berlin is the town of Potsdam, also called "the German Versailles" for its beautiful parks and palaces, also declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, which were residences of the Prussian kings.

Berlin in Germany travel: tourism of German capital Berlin at heart of Europe - Deutschland (March 2024)


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